Jean Springer, age 86, passed away peacefully in the presence of her pastor of many years, Rev. Bob Smith, and in the care of the loving caregivers at Harbor House Memory Care in Poulsbo, WA on September 19, 2018. She was born on January 31, 1932 on Bainbridge, Island, WA. She grew up in a loving Christian home on Bainbridge Island with her parents, Ellen and Gus Lund, her brother, Andrew, as well as four sisters, Marguerette, Mary Ellen, Ruth and Martha. Jean described it as a home full of much fun and laughter. She graduated from Bainbridge High School in 1950. Her outstanding feature of bright red hair earned her the nicknames of Carrot Top, Red, Strawberry, Pumpkin and Scarlet. For a short time she worked in the insurance business until she married her high school sweetheart, Dale Ferguson in 1952. Together they had 4 children but later divorced in 1959. At this time she went to work as a waitress at Martinique Restaurant on Bainbridge where she met Howard Springer, a regular patron. They were married August 16, 1962. Her life completely changed with this marriage. Howard had accepted a position to manage a shipyard in Chile, and so Jean packed up her things and the children to join Howard in Iquique, Chile. In 1965 Howard and Jean and children moved back to Bainbridge Island to a new home on Port Madison Bay. The following year Howard bought a 42-foot sail boat and the family had many wonderful vacations cruising the San Juan Islands and Vancouver Island, often joined by friends from the Port Madison Yacht Club. Although she was raised in a Christian home, she made a renewed commitment to belief in Jesus Christ in 1966 and spent much of her free time volunteering for her church and the Bainbridge Island’s Christian Women’s Club, even serving as president for a time. Upon Howard’s retirement, they moved to Poulsbo, Washington. Howard switched hobbies from sailing to building model steam engine locomotives, and together they volunteered at Kitsap Live Steamers in Port Orchard for many years. Jean would spend her time helping children of all ages on and off club’s train rides and volunteering at their store.
She was proceeded in death by her husband, Howard Springer, in 2012, as well as her siblings Andrew Lund, Marguerette Sears, Mary Ellen Lund, and Ruth Lund. She is survived by her four children, Jerry Springer, Teresa Brown, Bill Springer and Don Springer, as well as stepson Roy Springer, 10 grandchildren, 20 great-grand-children, and her sister Martha Lund. Her family will always remember her for her faith, encouraging ways, and her deep love for them and many others. She will be greatly missed.
A Celebration of Jean’s life will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, October 20th, at Gateway Fellowship at 18901 8th Ave NE, Poulsbo WA.
Memorial donations in memory of Jean can be made to Kitsap Live Steamers at http://www.kitsaplivesteamers.org/ or PO Box 1765, Port Orchard, WA 98366.
