Jessie Lavender was born at Eastsound December 12, 1918. She was the fourth of seven children born to James Tolbert and Louise (Loos) Lavender. She is survived by an older brother and sister and one younger brother. Also she left six nephews and nieces and three grandnephews and grandnieces.

Jessie graduated from Orcas Island High School in 1936 and enrolled that same year in the University of Washington School of Pharmacy. Upon graduation with degree and license in hand she practiced first in Washington, then in New Jersey and then in California in 1948. She was at the Owl Drug in Sacramento for several years before joining the staff at Fairmont Hospital in the East Bay.

On one of her leaves of absences from Fairmont, she traveled around the world spending days in the Orient, Asia, Middle East, East Africa and on to Spain where she represented her pharmaceutical society at a world conference.

After retirement from Fairmont Hospital she opened a small bookstore and tea room in Castro Valley, California. Her next move was to Cull Canyon where she participated in the building of her home in a secluded setting.

Jessie spent her retirement years as a Master Gardener, an organizer for social and environmental affairs in her community and as an attentive aunt to the younger generation who adored her independent life style and ageless presence.

Her ashes will be inurned at Woodlawn Cemetery, Eastsound. At her request there will be no formal graveside service.