She moved with her family to various Army posts, among them, Fort McKinley, near Manila, P.I. The family settled in Los Angeles, where Jeanne graduated from Fairfax High School. After attending Mills College, Oakland, CA, she then transferred to Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill, graduating in 1948 with a B.S. degree in journalism. After she returned to Los Angeles, she worked as a copywriter for advertising agencies in Beverly Hills and Hollywood, writing commercials for the fledgling television media.
In 1951 she married a recent graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, John Farwell Danis, and the couple embarked on a series of many moves, to ships up and down the West Coast, duty on the East Coast; a three year tour in Paris, France; and duty in Honolulu, HI, and Yokosuka, Japan. Following a four year tour at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, they moved to Bogota, Columbia for a three year tour. Capt. Danis eventually retired in San Diego, and the family settled in Imperial Beach. During Capt. Danis' Navy career, Jeanne worked as a writer for KMBY radio in Monterey, CA, KWBW-TV in Salinas, CA, where she was also a staff announcer, and for advertising agencies in San Diego and Washington, D.C. After her husband's retirement, she was an active volunteer for the Navy Relief Society where her husband was executive director. She was also employed as a reporter for the Coronado Journal and later the Coronado Eagle. In addition, she occasionally worked as a substitute teacher at Coronado High School.
An early interest in theater developed into an active participation on local stages, primarily the Coronado Playhouse, where she was best remembered for her roles as Mrs. Feeley in "Suds in Your Eye," Penny in "You Can't Take It With You," Veta Louise in "Harvey," Sophie in "Social Security," Abby Brewster in "Arsenic and Old Lace" and Laura Partridge in "The Solid Gold Cadillac." She also had numerous roles at OnStage Playhouse, Chula Vista, and also appeared at Lamplighters and the Old Globe.
She was awarded several "best actress" honors by the Associated Community Theatres of San Diego County and by local community theaters as well. The Society of Professional Journalists presented her an award for "Best Criticism" in 1990, and the San Diego Press Club awarded her first place in sports writing in 1996 for her column, "Padre Watching." She was a member of FOCUS, the Navy League and the Coronado Playhouse.
Her husband predeceased her in 1993. Survivors include her son, John Jay Danis, and grandson Wyatt of Pass Christian, Mississippi.
Memorial service will be held at the North Island Chapel on Tuesday, August 1st, 2006 at 10:00 A.M. followed by a reception at the Coronado Playhouse at 12:00 P.M.
