Jeanne H. Duncan

Jeanne Harriett Ruddach died peacefully in Sacramento on January 4, 2023. She was preceded in death by Grove L. Duncan Jr. her husband of 38 years in 1994. She is survived by son Michael Duncan (wife Ivy) of Eugene, OR. and daughter Suzanne Riehl (husband Joe) of Sacramento. She is also survived by sisters Ruth Hoover, Susan Wasson and Sally Heely. She was the proud grandmother of Hilary Sherman (Dave), Amy Woodward (Matt), Molly Flaherty (Bryan) and Paul Duncan (Jackie) and was great grandmother G.G. to Piper, Grove, Etta, Josie and Billy (due in April).  Also survived by cousin John Oakes and oldest niece Patti Jeanne Hoover who were a regular presence in her life.

She was born the day after Christmas in 1927 to Harry S. and Florine Harriett Ruddach in Moscow, Idaho.  Jeanne moved to Sacramento in the summer of 1936 with her mother and grandparents as the result of the Great Depression and a broken marriage.  She found the family structure that guided the rest of her life when she moved in with her Aunt Ruth and husband Dr. Ugo Pucci and young daughters Sandra, Sue and Kathy in 1939.

Jeanne graduated from C.K. McClatchy in 1946 and earned a BA in Social Welfare from Cal-Berkeley in 1951.  She started her career at County Hospital before moving on to the American Red Cross as a case worker where she assisted Northern California and military families during times of natural disasters and family emergencies.  It was during her time with Red Cross that she met Grove, they were married in 1956 and started a family.  They purchased a house on 41^st Street in 1957 where Jeanne lived the rest of her life, hosting family and friends for 65 editions of the 41^st Street Fourth of July Parade and in recent years spending hours on her front porch visiting with neighbors as they passed by. 

She volunteered with Mercy Hospital Guild for over 60 years, serving as President and chairing many large events through the years.  Jeanne was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority at Cal and remained active as an alumnus.  She enjoyed playing and watching tennis as a long time member at Sutter Lawn Tennis Club.  She was active in Michael and Suzanne’s schools.  But where she really excelled was as a mom, grandmother and great grandmother.  She will be missed.

Her funeral will take place at All Saints Memorial Episcopal Church 2076 Sutterville Road in Sacramento on February 10 at 1 p.m. Immediate family interment and reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Sacramento SPCA, the WSS Foundation or the charity of your choice.