Jeanne Therese Brandon, 71, of Mears, passed away Tuesday, April 28, 2026, surrounded by loved ones. She was born October 7, 1954, in Muskegon, the daughter of Thomas and Bernice (née Weber) Brandon.

Earliest pictures of Jeanne (pronounced Jean) almost entirely feature her with a guitar in her hands and a smile on her face. A strong, intelligent, creative, compassionate and kind woman, Jeanne dedicated her life to family and the community in multiple ways. She became the cornerstone of the extended family, always cooking, singing and bringing people together.

In the 1970s she was part of the movement which established the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival, often referred to as MWMF or Michfes, and as one of the local organizers, spent the off-season helping to take care of “the Land” the festival was held on annually. 

Starting as a housekeeper in the 1970s, Jeanne worked for 35 years at the Oceana County Medical Care Facility. She moved into multiple positions in maintenance, facilities, and ultimately retired from her position as the central ordering and purchasing officer for the facility. A consummate advocate for her peers and the patients she served. 

In 1989, she met and fell in love with Sherry, the woman she would spend her life with. In 1991, they had a Holy Union, uniting two families into one. In 2014, it became legal for them to marry and they were so excited to finally make their marriage legal. 

Jeanne is survived by: her spouse, Sherry Bates; brother Patrick Brandon; children, Joe Bates, Darius Sayers and Jamie Jeffries (née Bates); daughters-in-law: Jessica Bates (née Navitskas) and Michelle Young; son-in-law; John Jeffries; grandchildren, Nichole Flanery (née Sayers), Tristan Sayers, Tyler Mangels, Kiera Bates, Brandon Mangels, Kyle Bates, and Abigail Bates; and great-grandchildren, Rowan Sayers, Archer Splane, and Elias Mangels; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Jeanne was preceded in death by: her parents, Thomas and Bernice (née Weber) Brandon and her sister Elizabeth Rose Merrill (née Brandon).

Cremation has taken place; no services are scheduled at this time.

Harris Funeral Home, in Shelby, is assisting with arrangements.

www.harrisfhome.com