Jeannie Webber Canter, 77, died on January 1, 2024 at St. Thomas Retirement Center in Turlock, CA surrounded by her family after heroically fighting an 11-month battle with lung and brain cancer. Jeannie was born in Modesto, CA on September 7, 1946. She was reared in Hughson, CA and was a proud Hughson High School Husky alumni. Following high school graduation, Jeannie attended business and accounting courses at Modesto Junior College followed by a lifelong career in the office clerical field where she was also an accomplished Calligrapher. Being a lifelong member at the Modesto Church of the Brethren, she served as Church Clerk, Secretary on the District Board with the Women’s Fellowship, played softball on the Women’s Church League and was involved with the American Business Women’s Association. She also regularly attended the Ladies Bible Study at First Baptist Church of Newman, where her husband is a member, and referred to herself as a “Brethren Baptist”. She said, “I am a Christian, trying to live my life each day faithfully serving my creator God.”
On July 16, 1986, Jeannie married her beloved husband Harold Dean Canter in Denali National Park, Alaska. He was a direct answer to her prayer. She resided in Newman, CA with her husband for 38 years. She faithfully helped support him being a Raider fan, even though she really loved the SF 49ers. Together they loved to travel via RV, car, truck, and sometimes Jeannie was able to coax Harold Dean onto a plane. They would annually visit Quartzsite, AZ, Louisiana, and Las Vegas, visiting friends, family, and exploring all over the country along the way. Jeannie looked forward to her annual Spider Sisters Trip with her sisters Judy and Peggy. Her travel experiences included Israel, Europe, Alaska, Hawaii, and Mexico. She LOVED Disneyland, of course, and was able to visit Paris Disneyland, too. She made her grandchildren’s lives magical (according to granddaughter Josée) and was the best and most magical grandmother!
Anyone who knew Jeannie, knew she was an avid Mickey Mouse collector. She also collected giraffes, Princess Diana memorabilia, Red Hat Lady items, many broaches, pins, necklaces, and of course clothing, hats, and shoes. Jeannie will be remembered as always being the best dressed in the room, always color coordinated with the perfect outfit of matching shoes, purse, jewelry, a lot of sparkle and glitter, impeccable makeup, and with not one hair out of place.
Jeannie had a volunteer’s heart. She volunteered for the American Cancer Society as a Road to Recovery driver for 15 years and was a blood and platelet donor with the Stanislaus County Blood Bank for many years, too. She was heavily involved with the Red Hat Ladies of Orestimba for 20 years.
Jeannie enjoyed playing tennis, square dancing, shopping, going to the theater, traveling, reading Bible devotionals, her VW bug, spending time with family and friends, collecting, and enjoying life in the sun (the warmer the climate the better). Jeannie and her hair hated the rain. Surf and Turf with a chocolate martini were her absolute favorite culinary delights. She loved listening to Elvis Presley, church hymns, and if there was a band playing, Jeannie was on the dance floor. New Year’s Eve/Day was her favorite holiday.
Jeannie loved her family. She is survived by her husband, Harold Dean Canter, who was holding her hand as she left this world. She is also survived by her sisters Judy Webber (Bob) of Oakdale, CA, Peggy Kurtz (Devon) of Oregon; her brother William ‘Billy’ Webber of Texas; her foster son Jeff Thompson of California; step-children Carri Shannon (Don), Trina Canter Beauchamp (Marc), and Kathleen Collums (Lanny) all of Alaska; her grandchildren Cody (Erin) Beauchamp and Josée (Garrett) Beauchamp of Fairbanks, Alaska, Dustin (Ashley), Dean (Heather), and Drew (Annie) Shannon, Kaitlyn (Tyler) Wolfe all of Anchorage, Alaska, and Cameron (Angie) Collums of Colorado; 11 great-grandchildren; Caden, Kinley, Miriam, Ruth, Esther, Naomi, and Lydia Shannon, Emma, Ronald, and Felix Wolfe all of Anchorage, Alaska, and Phoebe Beauchamp of Fairbanks, Alaska; and many friends, nieces, nephews, and cousins all across the country, including her Red Hat Ladies. She was preceded in death by her parents Ralph and Martha Webber and her nephew Mark Breidenbaugh.
Jeannie wanted all to know she was a Christian who loved and trusted God with all of her heart. Jeannie wrote, “I do not fear death itself. I think it is not the end, but a new beginning for me and I want all to think about what I was like before I became ill, and remember me in that way after my death.”
The family appreciates all the calls, cards, and visits this past year. We are so thankful of you all as you keep Jeannie’s memory in your hearts. A candlelight memorial celebration of life will be held on Friday, April 26th from 2:00-4:00 PM at Modesto Church of the Brethren 2301 Woodland Ave., Modesto, CA. There is also a celebration of life being held on Saturday, April 27th from 2:00-4:00 at the St. George Hotel 1342 Main Street Newman, CA. All are encouraged to wear bright colors as Jeannie would have wanted. The more sparkle and glitter the better.
Condolences may be sent to: The Canter Family P.O. Box 601, Newman, CA 95360
