Jim Mechem and JeanAnne Swope are retired Presbyterian ministers with a combined total of 90 years in the ministry, mainly in New Jersey, New York City and the Adirondacks.

They met at a church meeting, and were married in New York City in 1982. Because they were each established in their professions JeanAnne retained her unmarried name.

She was born in Oswego, N.Y., and earned a degree in sociology from Muskingum University in Ohio; He was born in Sterling, Colo., and graduated from Monmouth College in Illinois. Both obtained further training in Theology at Princeton University.

Their family consists of Jim’s daughters of a prior marriage, Leslie Mechem and Shari Fisher, together with two ascribed daughters and a son, Jennie Warren, Kristen Tidwell, and Michael Adee.

Jim and JeanAnne have dedicated their lives toward helping others. Before coming to Whitefish they did such things as spend five years “on tour” building houses, churches and schools following a hurricane. He was president of Habitat for Humanity, and they helped build over 28 houses. She was national director of the Presbyterian Volunteers Committee, and the list goes on.

Intrigued by Kilimanjaro, she wanted to climb it, so she and son Michael did just that. Even there, she found someone to assist. Their guides had children who needed financial help for schooling, so she and Jim provided for their education.

They settled permanently in Whitefish in 2010 and haven’t slowed down. They firmly believe that if you live in a community you should be a part of it. Their involvement commenced at the Whitefish Theatre Company, where he started on sets and props and is now a licensed wine steward. She works as an usher and at the box office. She is a member of Stumptown Ice Rink Committee, a founding member of the curling club and is on the stone committee.

Either together, or singly they have left their mark on many local projects such as the Community Foundation, library, Project Kids, the Wave and most school events. They marvel at the quality of productions by adults and children alike and for example, they attended both presentations of the Little Mermaid.

Jim and JeanAnne, you stated that you had never seen a town with such a sense of community, but your obvious love of Whitefish and your heartfelt desire to help others is contagious and makes this an even better place, for which we thank you.

— Jake Heckathorn