Jean Dodge (83), affectionately known as “Jeannie”, passed away on March 20, 2024, in her husband’s arms with her mother-in-law at her side. She was born on January 30, 1941, to L. Roy & Esther Coakley in Herkimer, NY where she was a cherished member of her community.
Her youth was filled with activities such as leading parades through Herkimer as the majorette, playing cello as the 1st cellist in her school orchestra, loving to dance tap and jazz, acting in various school plays, enjoying summers at her family’s beloved Caroga Lake property in the Adirondacks – all while being an ‘A’ student.
Jeannie and her surviving former husband, Richard Vosburgh, had 3 wonderful boys. Though this relationship wasn’t permanent they remained friends throughout life. Both went on to remarry.
Jeannie is survived by her husband of almost 44 years, Stephen (“Chip”) and 2 sons, David Vosburgh and his wife Terri, and Mark Vosburgh and his wife Lydia. She is predeceased by her middle son James Vosburgh whose wife Jackie survives. She is also survived by her loving sister Barbara and her husband Rodney Sluyter. Jeannie has 5 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren as well as 3 nieces and 2 nephews.
She moved from Herkimer to Poughkeepsie to start a family and raise her boys. In 1972 she started working for the Poughkeepsie City School District. For over 30 years she moved throughout the district providing professional support in a variety of roles. While there she established lifelong relationships with ‘the girls’. They would meet regularly for many many years at the Olive Garden for lunch. Jeannie would be strategically placed at the center to keep them all laughing and entertained. With her friendly welcoming demeanor, she was the first to introduce herself to her “bestest lifelong buddy” Adele into the high school.
Memories of Jeannie on social media noted her “fun personality, great sense of style, keen wit, beautiful inside and out, laughter brightened the day, special person, beauty and grace, spunky, had a big heart, nicest person I know, and the neatest person to talk to.” Clearly, she made an impact on many!
Jeannie and Chip were married on June 28, 1980, and enjoyed a wonderful life together. Due to their 14-year age difference they knew that they would not be able to share a normal retirement, so they lived their retirement every day for almost 44 years!! Her advice for such a marriage is to 1) never go to sleep mad, 2) “I Love You” is mandatory before sleep and 3) your spouse is your 1 st priority!! It proved to be a sound philosophy to live by. Jeannie and Chip spent annual vacations in Maine reminiscing about their life together.
Chip would like to give a special heartfelt “Thank You” to the entire staff of the Lutheran Care Center where she (and me) spent much of the last 5 months. They provided her with much needed care in a professional, caring, dignified manner. Plus, they were aware of my needs. It’s very much appreciated!! I will be submitting each one of their names for sainthood. Jeannie regularly donated to a variety of animal rescue and aid organizations. She loved her 3 kitties Cooper, Brodie and Levi.
She was a volunteer at a cat sanctuary in Beacon where she just loved to provide much needed attention, kisses and hugs to ‘her kitties’. Her husband even ‘volunteered’ to do the manual labor.
With her never ending love for kitties we are asking to please send your generous contributions to the Mid Hudson Animal Aid, 54 Simmons Lane, Beacon, NY 12508 or online at https://www.midhudsonanimalaid.org/ then click on DONATE.
All are invited to share their memories of Jeannie with each other and laugh out loud during visitation at Timothy P. Doyle Funeral Home, 371 Hooker Ave, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 on Wednesday 3/27/24 from 3 – 7pm. A brief prayer service will begin at 6:30 followed immediately by Chip’s eulogy.
The family is planning to distribute her ashes together with her son, Jimmy’s, ashes sometime this summer at the lake they loved and missed so much.
