Jean Ingrid Hass Obituary
In Memory of.
Jean Hass died peacefully of natural causes in her home on August 12, 2023, at the age of 87. She courageously persevered with grace and resilience after a stroke 17 years earlier.
She was born September 23, 1935, to Albert and Sigrid Johnson, Swedish immigrants. She grew up in the small town of Grayslake, Illinois about an hour north of Chicago.
She married her high school sweetheart, Del Hass, on April 14, 1955. A few years later, after Del had been discharged from the Navy, the young couple headed west toward the promise of opportunity and natural beauty in Oregon.
They never looked back, taking advantage of the outdoor playgrounds on the beaches and at state parks, and raising two kids who thrived in the rural countryside of Washington County.
They discovered that age-old Oregon tradition of square dancing and formed lasting friendships that would endure for decades.
Somehow, Jean managed her kids, her home, and her work life during the 70s and 80s. She became a sought-after medical transcriptionist for Legacy Health. Her blistering fast typing skills kept her in high demand.
But the job she cherished most was being a loving mother to her children. She always made sure there were fresh vegetables at the dinner table. She never missed games, concerts, or school plays.
She and Del divorced in 1995. Jean–– and her beloved Golden Retriever, Ginger ¬¬––moved to a retirement community in Mesa, Arizona where she made fast friends and enjoyed wintertime sunshine.
But as happy as she was in her sunny home, she returned to Portland after her kids both had daughters. "They're only little girls for a little while," she explained. "I want to be there.".
And she was. She truly embodied the role of a loving grandmother, affectionally referred to as "Nan", who showered her granddaughters, Isabelle, and Maddie, with love and attention. She taught them ABCs, and ice skating, and would eagerly meet them at the bus stop after school.
In 2006, Jean suffered a massive stroke that left her paralyzed on her right side and unable to speak. It was a crushing event for the family. Yet she accepted her situation with grace and fortitude.
