Jean Lorraine Fisher Childs Priest Chisholm, 96, of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, died Sept. 18, 2014, after a brief illness.

Jean was born July 7, 1918, in Vale, S.D. to Hazel Mae Shuck Fisher and Earl L. Fisher. Her father died a few months after her birth in the 1918 flu epidemic. After the family moved to Nebraska, Jean was raised by her mother and stepfather, Ora L. Fisher, with four brothers and three sisters. Her mother's death in 1938 led to a separation of the children as they were sent to live with various aunts and uncles across the country.

Jean attended Hastings College in Hastings, Neb., and then the University of Nebraska. She left school after the bombing at Pearl Harbor and married Dick Childs. They had two sons, Richard and Clayton, before they divorced in 1951.

Jean moved with her sons to Albuquerque, N.M., a city she loved and considered her hometown. In May1955 she married Paul Priest and they remained together until his death in 1972.

Jean worked as an executive secretary in the Albuquerque School District and was very proud of her service as president for the National Association of Educational Secretaries. She was a pioneer in creating a professional career for herself at a time when most women did not work outside the home.

In 1986, Jean married Robert "Bob" Chisholm. They shared a special connection, having been born on the same day in the same year in neighboring states. Jean and Bob lived together for many years in Gig Harbor, Wash., before moving to Coeur d'Alene to be close to family. Jean very much enjoyed being Bob's wife, and particularly enjoyed the time they spent on travels around the world. Bob died in January 2009.

Jean enjoyed swimming, walking, reading, crossword puzzles and travel. She enjoyed cooking and preserving produce from Bob's garden. Jean had a fondness for the spicy foods of New Mexico and her favorite time of year was when the sweet corn was ready for harvest. She looked forward to family dinners each Sunday, and lived independently at North Star Retirement Home until just a few days before her death.

Jean is survived by her children and step-children: Clay and Robbie Childs of Albuquerque, Richard Childs of Las Vegas, Mike and Mary Priest of Henderson, Nev., Paula Porsch of Albuquerque, David and Nancy Chisholm of Clear Lake, Wash., Barbara Chisholm of Spokane, Becky and Ed Benson of Hayden, and Don and Robin Chisholm of Coeur d'Alene; one sister, Genevieve Harwood of Arlington, Va., and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A private family service will be held to honor Jean.