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Family and friends
Jean loved to take photos and tell personal histories. Of her own work in writing family histories Jean has said the following: "This writing helped shine a light on the present and how important it is to live fully every moment, to look with loving eyes at what contrast has brought into our lives, to be joyous as the solutions unfold and to honor our relationship with our self and with others. ... more
Join Memories to request access to contribute your cherished photos, videos, and stories to Jean's memorial with others who loved them.
Join MemoriesCarissa Zeleski Jean as a girl, recognizable by her lovely smile...
Carissa Zeleski Jean played the french horn in the Medford High School band.
Carissa Zeleski Jean and the family she grew up in- John, Arlita and Jim
Carissa Zeleski A family gathering
Carissa Zeleski Placing 3rd in the Miss Sacramento contest! She had fun with this but her true passion was teaching.
Carissa Zeleski Jean teaching 6th grade!
Carissa Zeleski My mom always told me that beauty comes from bringing out your natural self.
Carissa Zeleski When she talked about her travel experiences, she talked about learning about differences. The objects she brought home from those trips still hold magic for me.
Carissa Zeleski Engaged to be married, having fun in San Jose.
Carissa Zeleski At the Royal Villa Apartments- the social center of the school district.
Carissa Zeleski The first sighting of her signature pigtails
Carissa Zeleski This was an early photography project by Jean. She picked this hobby back up again several years later.
Zelda Zeleski I love this picture of my parents with Jean and John on their wedding day.
Carissa Zeleski The wedding party!
Carissa Zeleski This is the first Christmas in the Rocklin house
Carissa Zeleski Carissa's Baby Shower
Carissa Zeleski This was one of her favorite photographs.
Carissa Zeleski She loved summers in New York. She commented on the feeling of belonging she had there.
Carol Zeleski Visiting for Christmas NY 1986. Also a picture from Duke and my wedding. It was a pleasure being together for a Christmas. Yearly visits were treasured.
Carissa Zeleski She taught me the meaning of Christmas was the joy of giving.
I was lucky enough to have Jean as a "bonus mommy" from the time I was 12 years old via my friendship with my "sister", Carissa. The Zeleski house was a place of love and acceptance where it was ok to express yourself, be different, and speak your mind. I knew we could say anything to "Carissa's mommy" and she would still love and help us if we ...
Everyone remembers their childhood home address and phone number. Even decades later, I remember the Zeleski family address and phone number. I have to say, there were many years I spent more time there than at my own home. Your light shined on so many. Thank you Jean for being the mom I needed ❤️ I will miss you dearly, and will hold the kindnes...
Carissa Zeleski After she retired, Jean rekindled old friendships and made many new ones. She once said that this artwork reminded her of her dear friendships.
Carissa Zeleski She looks so relaxed! In Hawaii with Judy and Ann
Dympna Fahy I met jean in 2008 at our family reunion in Co Galway, Ireland where we the Irish cousins reconnected with the Zeleski family. Jean recorded every document and photograph and later compiled the family story. It was obvious she loved doing this for her family. She is pictured at the Irish homestead with Zelda, Pat, Patricia Walsh (RIP) and Brendan Byrne. She was so generous in continuing to keep contact over the past 14 years, showing us her growing family with pride and love. Sleep well Jean. 'Ar dheis De go raibh a hanam uasal'
Carissa Zeleski Her birthday on the Rainbow Bridge
Mercy Zeleski Jean and family at her son Mike's Air Force Academy graduation ceremony. She was so proud of his accomplishments! Jean, Mercy, Paul, Pat, John, and Zelda
Carissa Zeleski Celebrating her son and her daughter-in-law! She was over the moon.
Mercy Zeleski Jean found a rainbow in Hawaii during a trip with friends. Photo from Ann Brooks.
Carissa Zeleski In Lake Tahoe
Mercy Zeleski Jean loved celebrating the holidays with the family.
Carissa Zeleski One of Jean's photos. Right from the back yard on Hoffman Lane.
Carissa Zeleski Jean. Joan. Ann. At the Crocker Art Museum. 3 old ladies trying to do a selfie!- Photo and memory from long-time friend Joan Willett
Mary Elliott-Klemm Jean was so very creative and was able to take ordinary objects and see them in new ways.
Mary Elliott-Klemm Jean Zeleski- a perfect friend: caring, creative, intelligent, thoughtful, always open to new ideas and learning. Jean and I both enjoyed our Photography as Art class, bonding over shared experiences and deepening our friendship while taking photographs. We both loved the class for opening our eyes to beauty in new and deeper ways. Jean's photographs often reached deep into her soul and shared the creative and gentle person we all love. I would like to share some of her work, her photos that resonated with me. I know you will enjoy them.
Mary Elliott-Klemm Jean was all about beauty. Her smile always radiated the beauty of her soul. Her photos shared her eye for beauty.
Carissa Zeleski Jean and I met in the CSUS Renaissance Society class, Photography as Art, but found when we visited outside class that it seemed we had known each other for ages. The friendship got richer as time went on. We took the opportunity to meet for lunch before class when we met at the Natomas Library; and we shared long visits by phone, talking about books, music, our interests and hobbies. And we talked about our photos. Out of 16 class members, Jean and I were the only ones who did our assignments on our own, rather than on field trips with the group. That pushed our creative boundaries and added fodder for conversations about how to approach assignments that we found vague or esoteric. No matter how uncertain we were during these discussions, I don’t recall that either of us ever failed to fulfill the assignment, and occasionally one of us was “spot on”, with the task at hand. That extra challenge was great to share. I’m missing Jean already, thinking that I owe her a call and forgetting that she won’t be answering the phone.- Photo and memory from Kimberly Smith
Carissa Zeleski Jean in rare instance of "kicking back" during a Christmas Party- she had injured herself so she had no choice!
Roger Klemm These three portraits were taken at two different field trips for the Photography As Art class for which Jean was a member. Jean's beautiful smile will always be remembered and her goofy side was most enjoyable. She will be very much missed. Roger Klemm
Mary Elliott-Klemm Jean was all about love and had a deep attachment to her family. Her photo of Emmy, taken 11-22-2018, is so tender.
Carissa Zeleski Pushing limits of Jean's tech skills to zoom together. Getting both microphone and camera to work was harder than it looked.
Carissa Zeleski Jean and baby Artemis!
Carissa Zeleski Jean was a beacon to us all, after her diagnosis we came together to celebrate her and the family she nurtured.
I’ve had many conversations with Jean but the one I remember most vividly was about her having children. She said it was so very important to her. At that point Carissa, Paul and Mike were already part of the family. They completed a circle of happiness for her. I’d describe Jean with the following words: positive, sincere, intelligent, thoughtful...
Carissa Zeleski We had such a fun time this Mother's day. Jean loved seeing the different way we expressed the same idea with art!
Carissa Zeleski It was hard for her to walk at this time, but Jean made it to the 4th of July weekend party.
Carissa Zeleski The afternoon before she died this unfamiliar white bird lingered in the yard and then banged on the window pane before flying away.
