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Jeannette S. Tawney

Jeannette S. Tawney, a resident of Missoula, died at home Dec. 29, 2016.

Born Jan. 26, 1933 in Honolulu, Jeannette grew up on Lanai where her Dad worked as a pineapple consultant for Dole and her mother, a registered nurse, homeschooled her three children. At age 13 Jeannette and her family moved to California in order for Jeannette to go to high school and be able to live at home instead of being sent to boarding school in Honolulu. Jeannette remembered seeing the bombing of Pearl Harbor from Lanai. Jeannette received her degree in dental hygiene in Vermont while her first husband was finishing his medical school residency in 1956, and she received a master’s degree in social work after age 50 at University of Montana, 1983.

Jeannette was known as the “tooth lady” for the Flathead and Missoula Schools screening and teaching dental care during the 60s and 70s. Jeannette served as the President of the American Dental Hygiene Association, the President of the Montana Board of Dentistry, and President of the Western Regional Board of Dentistry, as the first female and first non dentist. After obtaining her master’s degree, Jeannette volunteered at the Missoula Youth Court for two decades.

Jeannette enjoyed many years hiking the Bitterroots, skiing at Big Mountain, and backpacking in beautiful Glacier National Park. She loved involvement in her Episcopal churches, St. Matthew’s of Columbia Falls and Holy Spirit of Missoula. She loved attending the many musical and educational events in Missoula with her husband, and many plays over the years at the Bigfork Theater. She treasured her wonderful travel experiences visiting her daughters, Europe, Japan and Ecuador to see her AFS daughter, Julie Caicedo.

Jeannette is survived by her husband, David Tawney DDS, her brother Richard Sanborn, her sister Joan Frommhagen, her three daughters Jessica Buchanan, Cindi Ketterer, and Lynda Clark. She is preceded in death by her daughter, Lorretta Eyre and her first husband, Dr RD Buchanan. Jeannette has nine grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren.

Family would like to express our thanks for the wonderful, kind and attentive care given by her caretakers from Harvest Home and Compassus hospice. A very special thank you to Ally Logan, Shawn, Vivian, Erin, and Kayle. Your caretaking mattered and is so appreciated.

In lieu of flowers please brush your teeth and see your dentist in Jeannette’s honor. Rest in Peace, Mom.