Jeannine Bendix passed away at her home in Portland, Oregon on August 5th after a brief, brave battle with cancer. She will be remembered for her unflagging positivity, her encouraging and inquisitive nature, her spiritual faith, her fun-loving sense of humor, her abundant generosity, and her bright pink lipstick! Jeannine Frances Hoyt was born to Francis Victor and Thelma Rucker Hoyt on March 25, 1931 in Tacoma, Washington where she grew up as an adored only child. Jeannine met her high school sweetheart and future husband, Bud Bendix, when they were sophomores at Clover Park High School. A standout student at Washington State University, Jeannine graduated Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, with a BA degree in Education. She served as President of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, News Editor for the Evergreen, and was voted as one of the "Big Ten" seniors of the WSU class of 1953. After graduating from college, Jeannine and Bud were married and lived in New Jersey, the Phillippines and Washington State while he served as an Army officer. In 1958 they adventured to Hawaii where Bud signed on as a reporter with the Honolulu Advertiser and Jeannine became a teacher at Punahou School, a career that spanned five decades, impacting thousands of students. Their son Mark was born in 1960, followed by daughter Diana in 1963. Jeannine's motherly affection extended to her children's friends, many of whom considered "Mom B" a second mom. She treasured her close friends who were like sisters to her. She also had many four-legged friends and the Bendix household was always chock full of pets of all varieties. She was especially proud when her cocker spaniel "Sunny" became a Champion. Jeannine was admired by her peers as a master teacher with an insightful and inspirational style of teaching to the head and the heart of her students. "Mrs. B" was adored by her 4th graders, many of whom kept in touch and returned to visit her long after they graduated. Following her retirement from Punahou in 1993, she continued to tutor, specializing in the treatment of dyslexia. Her lifelong passion for reading and children's literature led to her appointment by two governors to serve on the Hawaii State Library Commission. Jeannine had a heart for service and was active with a capital A! She remained involved with her Kappa Alpha Theta alumni group, she was a member of P.E.O., and she enjoyed playing tennis, golf and duplicate bridge. She was also an avid sports fan following the NBA, Ice Skating, UH Wahine Volleyball, and her WSU Cougars. Travel highlights included: Europe, China and Scandinavia. She loved everything French including her favorite city, Paris. As "Tutu" to her grandchildren Peik and Lani, she relished her role as a grandmother, piling on the love and traveling to the mainland often to visit her "cubs," cheering them on at soccer games, ski races and school performances. 10 years ago, Jeannine and Bud moved from Hawaii to Portland, Oregon to be closer to their family. Jeannine's optimism and joie de vivre were contagious and she will be missed by all who were lucky enough to have experienced her faithful and unconditional love. Jeannine joins her beloved Bud who passed away last November. She is survived by her son Mark (Lynn) Bendix of Portland, OR, daughter Diana Bendix Wahl, grandson Peik Wahl, granddaughter Lani Wahl, all of Sandpoint, ID, brother-in-law and sister-in law Fred & Gail Bendix of Bellevue, WA, a host of other loving family members and long-time friends, and her precious kitty Pua. A celebration of life will be held, and her ashes scattered, in Hawaii at a later date. Donations may be made in her name to the Hawaiian Humane Society.
Jeannine Bendix passed away at her home in Portland, Oregon on August 5th after a brief, brave battle with cancer. She will be remembered for her unflagging positivity, her encouraging and inquisitive nature, her spiritual faith, her fun-loving sense of humor, her abundant generosity, and her bright pink lipstick! Jeannine Frances Hoyt was born to Francis Victor and Thelma Rucker Hoyt on March 25, 1931 in Tacoma, Washington where she grew up as an adored only child. Jeannine met her high school sweetheart and future husband, Bud Bendix, when they were sophomores at Clover Park High School. A standout student at Washington State University, Jeannine graduated Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, with a BA degree in Education. She served as President of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, News Editor for the Evergreen, and was voted as one of the "Big Ten" seniors of the WSU class of 1953. After graduating from college, Jeannine and Bud were married and lived in New Jersey, the Phillippines and Washington State while he served as an Army officer. In 1958 they adventured to Hawaii where Bud signed on as a reporter with the Honolulu Advertiser and Jeannine became a teacher at Punahou School, a career that spanned five decades, impacting thousands of students. Their son Mark was born in 1960, followed by daughter Diana in 1963. Jeannine's motherly affection extended to her children's friends, many of whom considered "Mom B" a second mom. She treasured her close friends who were like sisters to her. She also had many four-legged friends and the Bendix household was always chock full of pets of all varieties. She was especially proud when her cocker spaniel "Sunny" became a Champion. Jeannine was admired by her peers as a master teacher with an insightful and inspirational style of teaching to the head and the heart of her students. "Mrs. B" was adored by her 4th graders, many of whom kept in touch and returned to visit her long after they graduated. Following her retirement from Punahou in 1993, she continued to tutor, specializing in the treatment of dyslexia. Her lifelong passion for reading and children's literature led to her appointment by two governors to serve on the Hawaii State Library Commission. Jeannine had a heart for service and was active with a capital A! She remained involved with her Kappa Alpha Theta alumni group, she was a member of P.E.O., and she enjoyed playing tennis, golf and duplicate bridge. She was also an avid sports fan following the NBA, Ice Skating, UH Wahine Volleyball, and her WSU Cougars. Travel highlights included: Europe, China and Scandinavia. She loved everything French including her favorite city, Paris. As "Tutu" to her grandchildren Peik and Lani, she relished her role as a grandmother, piling on the love and traveling to the mainland often to visit her "cubs," cheering them on at soccer games, ski races and school performances. 10 years ago, Jeannine and Bud moved from Hawaii to Portland, Oregon to be closer to their family. Jeannine's optimism and joie de vivre were contagious and she will be missed by all who were lucky enough to have experienced her faithful and unconditional love. Jeannine joins her beloved Bud who passed away last November. She is survived by her son Mark (Lynn) Bendix of Portland, OR, daughter Diana Bendix Wahl, grandson Peik Wahl, granddaughter Lani Wahl, all of Sandpoint, ID, brother-in-law and sister-in law Fred & Gail Bendix of Bellevue, WA, a host of other loving family members and long-time friends, and her precious kitty Pua. A celebration of life will be held, and her ashes scattered, in Hawaii at a later date. Donations may be made in her name to the Hawaiian Humane Society.
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
