Jean Farnsworth Petty passed peacefully from this world to the next in the early afternoon of January 8, 2017, exactly as she would have wanted, at home, with her husband, Tom and her fur babies surrounding her.  It was exactly as she would have wanted.  As matriarch of our small family, she loved us fiercely, supported our individual endeavors as if they were her own and gave selflessly to us so we could shine.  To us, she paved the way on how to shine and shine brilliantly.

We will always remember her for her dedication to her family, her crafts, her cooking, her interests, our interests and her job.  Beyond ethical commitment and unbelievable competence, she absolutely loved her job.  I don't think I've ever known anyone who really loved their job like she loved hers.  She was sharp, current and retained an encyclopedic set of knowledge and skill.  She was exceptional.

She was who we all went to if we had a question regardless of the topic.  If you had a medical question, you called Jean.  If you had a legal question, you dialed Jean.  If you wanted to know what you could substitute in a recipe, Jean was there.  If you needed to find information on anything ... everything, you phoned Jean – sewing, quilting, crocheting, cooking, cake decorating, costume stoning, craft supplies, the list is endless.  If she didn't know, she would gladly find and get the answers for you.

She thought of us all – we were with her daily on her endless pile of post-it notes.  If you admired a quilt, next thing you know, you had one designed and handmade specifically for you.  If you told her how much you loved her espresso brownies, her cakes, her meatballs, or any of her dishes, she never forgot and you would get your favorite during holidays or sometimes, just because you were having a tough moment in your life.  She truly would give you the shirt off her back or, at least order you one just like it from Amazon.com.  She glowed with happiness and excitement to give something special to you.  We knew in so many ways how we were in her heart every day, in every way.  She shined.

Jean is preceded in death by her father, Jesse Leonard Farnsworth and her mother Mabel Agnes Farnsworth.

She is survived by her husbandThomas Charles Petty; brother Robert Leonard Farnsworth; daughter Jimmie B. Caten-Meyer and husband, Leon P. Meyer; son John Jason Brannies and wife, Marie Edwards with her son Jordan Edwards; granddaughters Meagan Jo Mark and husband, James E. Mark and Nichole Lee Caten and husband, Cody L. Byerly; cousins Brian and Sandy Brace; THE PETTY PACK Cinder, Christopher, Abigail, Lilly, and Wendy; THE CATEN-MEYER PACK Chad, Joe, Lacy, Katy, Willy and Gina; THE BRANNIES/EDWARDS PACK Stanley and Ash; THE MARK PACK Wally, Houdini, Maisy and Eleanor and THE CATEN/BYERLY PACK Bruiser.

To all of you beautiful souls wondering and asking "If there is anything we/I can do, let us/me know. Here is what you can do for us.

One, some or all . . .

Call, drive, fly, roll over, walk in the other room, or whatever you have to do.....find that one person or people that you haven't told "I Love you" in awhile and do that for you. Hug them hard and hold on tight. Take the time.

Love your people and let go of any anger, irritation or annoyance immediately. Put a period on it and move on. Hug it out -- good for them and good for you. There are never enough hugs, laughs, love ... it will never be enough because you will always want one more. Always. Take the time.

Have a no-judgment dinner at least once a week, at the table, with your family and have fun. Have fun! Laugh with each other and at each other. These are precious moments. Take the time.

Be flexible in your plans -- spouses, partners, children, siblings, parents and grandparents come FIRST. Postpone, rearrange or cancel your plans. Take the time.

Take the phone call no matter what. Listen. Help. Laugh. Be there. Take the time.

Make something by hand. A painting or drawing, a favorite meal or dessert, a quilt, an afghan, sew an apron, an embroidery, a scarf, start a scrapbook, take photographs, write a poem or a beautiful letter, wherever your talent lies and gift it. Create with love for someone you love. Take the time.

Pay attention when someone in your life has a need or want. Do something for them even if it's just buying a book on "how to" or emailing an article pertaining to their interest or issue. Don't wait for birthdays, holidays, etc. to give your people a token to know you are thinking of them. Notice. Take the time.

Do little things for anyone and everyone you can. Give five bucks to that person in front of you at the grocery store who can't cover their food. Don't let them put it back. See them. Take the time.

Say yes way more than no. And then DO. Take the time.

Just love. Take the time.

Time is fleeting. Please don't wake up one day wanting to say or do something wonderful and heartfelt to/with someone you no longer can, say it and do it today!

Thank you for your prayers and condolences. Peace and blessings to you and yours.