Jeannette Minning VanBelleghem

Jeannette Minning VanBelleghem began her eternal life with the Lord on Mar. 10, 2017 at the age of 73, surrounded by her family. Jeannette succumbed to the cancer that she fought with courage and dignity. She is survived by her husband, Dan, who was the love of her life. They celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary last November.

Jeannette and Dan had three children: Danny and wife Michele; Margot and husband Dr. Michael Bowers; and Luke and wife Stacey; eight grandchildren Daniel, Kathryn and Elizabeth VanBelleghem; Kelly and Reese Bowers; and Laila, Mira and Nina VanBelleghem.

We can’t possibly list all qualities of this talented and valued woman but here are some of the major facts of her life:

Born in Lakewood, Ohio in 1943, Jeannette graduated from Marygrove College, Detroit, Michigan with a BA and later earned an MPA from American University.

She was an economist with the Bureau of Labor Statistics for 30 years; an adjunct professor with Wheeling Jesuit University and a mediator with the family courts in the Eastern Panhandle.

She was a member of Social Concerns committee at St. Agnes church where she helped start the Sleeping Bag Project for homeless persons. She was an avid reader, potter, a superb gardener, gourmet cook, hostess, a listener and a fun person to be with.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Mar. 17, at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Shepherdstown, with Rev. T. Mathew Rowgh as celebrant.

Email condolences may be made at: eackles-spencerfuneralhome.com. Memorial contributions may be made to Mary’s Pence: www.maryspence.org and St. Agnes Church, 106 South Duke St, Shepherdstown, WV 25443.