Jeanette Ediger Flaming died Oct. 11, 2023, in her home in Salem, Ore. She was born Nov. 6, 1936, in Porterville, Calif.

She grew up on a cotton farm in Wasco, Calif. She graduated from Tabor College in Kansas, where she met her husband, Bruce. They settled in Dallas, Ore., where they lived for 30 years and raised four children. They later moved to Washington, D.C., and then to Salem.

Jeanette cared deeply about peace and justice for all people. She drew these values from her Christian faith and Mennonite heritage. She advocated tirelessly on behalf of vulnerable and disadvantaged people. While in Dallas, she founded the Victim Offender Reconciliation Program, served on the Mennonite Brethren Board of Education that governed Fresno Pacific College and was deeply engaged with the Dallas Mennonite Brethren Church. She later served on the board of Mennonite Central Committee, traveling extensively in Africa, Asia and Latin America to support its peacebuilding work. In Washington, she worked at the MCC office and for her Oregon congressman. She carried this passion to Willamette University’s Institute for Continued Learning, where she served on the curriculum committee.

She embodied values of compassion, service and an open mind in her personal relationships as well. She went to extraordinary lengths to encourage and mentor people. Her enduring joys were playing the piano and singing; tending her flower garden; walking among Pacific Northwest mountains, oceans and rivers; learning and reflection; traditional crafts and meaningful conversations. These, and Christ’s life and message, were her inspiration.

She is survived by Bruce Flaming, her husband of 65 years; her children, Mark, Lynn and Lorene Flaming; Mark’s family Karen Enns, Ali Flaming, Zak Flaming and Jane Christen; and her siblings, Jim Ediger and Evelyn Heinrichs. Jeanette joins her daughter, Ellie Flaming.