Jean Betty Ornellas, 102

Jean Ornellas of Post Falls, Idaho, passed away March 31, 2025, at the age of 102 years old. Jean was born Aug. 9, 1922, to Arthur and Rachael Ackerman in Chicago, Ill.

When she was very young, her family moved to Wisconsin from Chicago. As her family moved to many different farms, she gained a lot of knowledge in farming and gardening.

She attended Teachers College in Milwaukee, Wis. On June 11, 1945, she graduated with her bachelor of arts degree in science, a 4.0 grade point average, and majors in Art and English.

She married Antone Ornellas on Nov. 27, 1948, in New Bedford, Mass. They moved to California in 1958. She enjoyed teaching school from kindergarten up to 12th grade. She became a reading specialist in 1970 and retired in 1982. Jean and Antone had five children together. They moved up to North Idaho in 1998 from Southern California. They attended Real Life Ministries in Post Falls and enjoyed leading a home group in their home for many years. She enjoyed studying the Bible and reading it through many, many times. Jean was a true scholar. Jean enjoyed genealogy and was an avid reader of many subjects. She loved art, quilting, knitting, reading, gardening and traveling.

Jean is preceded in death by her son, David, husband Antone and grandson Michael. She is survived by her children, Steven Ornellas, Jeannie Girard, Richard Ornellas and Bradley Ornellas. She had nine grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Celebration of Life will be at 3 p.m. Friday, May 2, 2025, at Real Life Ministries, Building 1, Room 112, in Post Falls, Idaho.

Visit Jean's memorial and sign her online guestbook at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.