Jeanne Seaman Farnum

She graduated from Houghton High School in 1939, then spent one year at Michigan School of Mines (MCM), now Michigan Technological University, before transferring to University of Illinois.

Not having the prerequisites for a music major, she chose to study geology, following in the footsteps of her father and grandfather, Arthur Edmund Seaman, founder of the AE Seaman Mineralogical Museum.

Upon graduation Jeanne worked as an assistant curator at the Mineral Museum and then joined the Michigan Geological Survey team as their first female geologist.

She was featured in the October 1943 edition of the Michigan Conservation Magazine.

In 1944 while serving on the U.S. Geological Survey team in Indianapolis, Indiana, Jeanne joined the American Red Cross as a staff assistant and was sent to Italy where she was able to visit her older brother, Bill, who was recovering from wounds received while serving in the 10th Mountain Division.

Jeanne served in both Italy and Germany before returning to the United States.

Upon arriving in New York on January 2, 1946, she was greeted by her fiance, Lawrence B. Farnum (Larry), a MCM graduate in mining engineering, who had recently returned from serving in the Army Air Corps in Australia, the Philippines, and Japan. Ten days later on January 12, Jeanne and Larry were married in Stamford, Connecticut.

They stayed at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel and then honeymooned at Skytop in the Pokonos Mountains, skiing while on their way back to Michigan.

In 1948 Larry enlisted in the Army Corps of Engineers, thus beginning an exciting 20 year adventure for Jeanne as an Army wife (at which she excelled).

This took the family to many places in the United States, Turkey and Germany.

After retiring from the Army, Larry and Jeanne settled in Tucson, Arizona, but soon were uprooted to Singapore and Vietnam, and later to Denver, Colorado, and Sar Cheshma, Iran.

Finally Larry fully retired and moved to Summit County, Colorado where they were avid skiers and served as “Ambassadors” at Copper Mountain Ski Resort.

Jeanne participated in the Senior Winter Olympic Games until the age of 85 earning many gold medals in the Giant Slalom, Obstacle Course, Cross Country, Speed Skating, and Biathlon. She had been the president of the rifle club in college.

Jeanne was a proud member of Alpha Phi Sorority, PED, and her church choir.

She was a beautiful dancer, ice skater and skier; as well as an accomplished seamstress and pianist (performing at the concert hall in Heidelberg, Germany).

Jeanne and Larry shared a passion for the out-of-doors and loved to canoe, travel and meet people from all walks of life.

They were excellent bridge players and party hosts. Jeanne continued to play bridge and canasta past her 101st birthday.

Preceding Jeanne in death were her brother Bill Seaman, husband Larry Farnum of 68 years, son-in-law Bill Torrence, and her only son Jeffrey Lawrence Farnum.

Jeanne is survived by her brothers Jack and Arthur Seaman; her five daughters–Donna Cole (Tom), Joanie Rooker (Cal), Diane Woodworth (Steve), Deborah Torrence, Pam Hoyt; Daughter-in-law Jacqueline Heijting Farnum; 13 Grandchildren– Rebecca Cole Aho/a, Guy Rooker, Daniel Cole, Calarri Rooker Cox, Sam Supowit, Brian Supowit, David Cole, Kristina Cole Gregg, Michael Cole, Jeff Torrence, Allison Woodworth, Ray Woodworth, Zoe Woodworth and 11 great grandchildren.

Jeanne was an inspiration to all who knew her for her strength of will and character, her optimism, her graciousness, her remarkable poise and talents, and her amazing luck at cards.

A celebration of life will be held Thursday, December 29, 2022 at 1:00 at Vista de la Montana Methodist Church, 3001 Mira Vista lane, Tucson 85739.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Michigan Tech Fund #5312A (Lawrence B. Farnum Scholarship) 1400 Towsend Drive, Houghton, Ml 49931.