Jeanine Loudon

Jeanine’s Story

Claire Jeanine Quinn Loudon, 82, passed away in the arms of her husband of 61 years, Dick Loudon, in Sun Valley, Idaho on January 9, 2017 after an effervescent life dedicated to loving family, enjoying deep friendships, and celebrating life. She died suddenly of congestive heart failure surrounded by family in one of her favorite places on earth.

She was a loving mother, an enthusiastic grandmother, a talented hostess, a faithful Husky, a proud American, an elegant skier, and a convivial spirit. She loved all things Irish, listening to Viennese waltzing, dancing of all kinds, and she appreciated country music. With an unforgettable personality who lit up every room she entered, Jeanine collected countless friends and fans, of all ages, throughout her life with her quick wit and Irish blarney. She had the gift of making you feel like you were the most important and most interesting person in the world. She was one of a kind!

Jeanine was born in Seattle, Washington on March 22, 1934 to Anne Irene Larsen Quinn of Wenatchee, Washington and Francis Patrick Quinn of Fort Dodge, Iowa. She grew up in Laurelhurst, near the University of Washington, spending her summers rolling the “log” at the Laurelhurst Beach Club. Jeanine attended Laurelhurst Grade School and graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1951. She attended the University of Washington, where she pledged the Alpha Chi Omega sorority.

She married Dick Loudon on December 29, 1955. They honeymooned en route to Pensacola, Florida where she began her career as a Navy Wife married to her Naval Aviator. Dick deployed many times in those years, locally and on several Navy Aircraft Carriers overseas, the longest being for 11 months off Vietnam. Moving their household 22 times in 22 years, she worked hard to make sure her family was settled and happy in each new home regardless of whether her husband was at home or deployed. They retired back in Seattle and picked up the reins of their Seattle life without skipping a beat, with their UW friends and new.

Raising children, adoring her grandchildren and enjoying her vast circles of friends were her chief pursuits. She volunteered over the years as a Cub Scout Den mother, a Girl Scout leader and a room mother. Summers were spent at Hood Canal where the entire family gathered annually. People were her passion. She and Dick were frequently found enjoying dinners with friends at the Seattle Tennis Club, tailgating with fellow Huskies since 1975, and attending the Village Theater in Issaquah with their “clique” of retired Navy friends in Seattle.

 She is survived by her husband Richard Southwick Loudon and their four children: Deborah Loudon Dawson (Cutler) and children Daryl Anne (Pablo, great-granddaughter, (Quinn), Cutler, Devon; Pamela Jean Loudon Johnsen (Bruce) and children Whitney (Justin), Erika, Hans; Cynthia Loudon Longabaugh (Ed) and children Drew (Bekah), Claire, Eric; and Richard Quinn Loudon (Sara) and children Kimber, Lauren, Dan (Miriam), and Janie (Sam); and many beloved nieces, nephews, and other extended family.

In lieu of flowers:

Contributions for the Wood River Valley Foundation can be mailed to P.O. Box 7005, Ketchum, Idaho, 83340. **Please indicate the gift is in memory of Jeanine Quinn Loudon.  OR, you can donate online at: https://www.slwrf.org/donate/ Designation: Select Other/Tribute: The gift is in memory of Jeanine Loudon in support of St. Luke’s Hospitals, Sun Valley (Emergency) and Twin Falls (ICU), and Ketchum EMT.

Donations may also be made to the Jennie Rogers Cole and Marcella Cole Burton Endowed Scholarship which provides financial assistance to undergraduate students who are members of Rho Chapter of Alpha Chi Omega at the University of Washington. To donate by mail, please donate to UW Foundation, put Jennie Rogers Cole in the memo, with an additional note "In memory of Jeanine Quinn Loudon," and send to 4333 Brooklyn Avenue N.E., Box 359504, Seattle, WA 98195. To donate online, go to https://www.washington.edu/giving/make-a-gift/ and type "Jennie Rogers Cole" in the Search link, select ADD TO MY GIFTS, and go from there.

Your comments are invited, and we would appreciate your sharing any “Jeanine stories” in your comments. Please use the Guestbook above or email your stories to Cynthia Loudon Longabaugh at [email protected]. They will be a comfort to all of us. We plan on updating this for years!