JEANNIE C BASS

Jeannie Chappelle Bass, age 73, of Fort Myers, Florida and Estes Park, Colorado, passed away suddenly on Monday, January 6, 2020.
Jeannie was born on September 27, 1946. She was proud of her unique heritage as a fifth generation native of Fort Myers, Florida and American Indian Algonquin ancestry. Given her sweet nature and commitment to service, it was no surprise that she chose nursing as a career. She worked at Lee Memorial Hospital, and although she retired, she never let her license expire.
After she met the love of her life, James Bass, they dated for ten years. She chose March 15, 1974 as their wedding date because it was the Ides of March, which is just one example of Jeannie’s hilarious sense of humor. All who knew her will remember that, along with her passion for art and her wide open, curious mind for new ideas and experiences.
Jeannie was passionate about her pets, her orchids, traveling, seeking out new adventures and above, all her role as a mother and brand new grandmother.
Jeannie is survived by her daughters, Jennifer Bass and Jeannie White (Andrew); grandson, James White; brothers, Richard, Matthew and John Chappelle, and sister Laura Leigh Chappelle. She is predeceased by her husband, James Bass; mother and father, Gloria Crumpler and Richard Chappelle; and brother, Lee Charles.
Services will be held at Harvey-Engelhardt Funeral Home at 1600 Colonial Boulevard, Fort Myers, on January 18 with viewing at 9 a.m. and funeral at 10 a.m.
The service will be followed immediately by a burial across the street at the Fort Myers Memorial Gardens, 1589 Colonial Boulevard. She will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband, James Bass.
A reception will follow at Saint John the Apostle, 3409 McGregor Boulevard. The family asks that you bring your stories and memories to share.
Memorial donations may be sent to the VFW Youth Scholarship, the program that helped Jeannie through nursing school, or to the Florida Great Pyrenees Rescue.

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