Lakeside bid a fond farewell to long-time Guadalajara Reporter staff writer Jeanne Chaussee at a colorful Mexico-flavored celebration of her life held June 22 at the Ajijic plaza.
In style fully fitting her spirited personality, daughters Libby and Roxanne and sister Yvette carried her ashes to the destination of a final public appearance aboard a horse-drawn carriage, accompanied by a parade of charro horsemen, costumed dancers and a marching band.
Reflecting on Chaussee’s 14-year stint with the paper, editor Michael Forbes spoke about her knack for keeping her thumb on the pulse of lakeside’s singular multi-cultural community, a staunch determination to edify expats on accepting Mexico just as it is, and her keen ability at profiling real people by writing from the heart.
Efren Gonzalez recognized Chaussee for her generous and sage advice that helped him build a successful career as an artist.
Town administrator Hector España hailed her talent for making other see Mexico through her eyes saying, “She taught me to truly appreciate and love my home town and its traditions.”
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etting in the last word, daughter Libby remembered her mom as a great teacher who brought out the best in the people whose lives she touched. “She loved Mexico – the good, the bad and the smelly. She lived every day like it was her last. We should all do that,” she said before closing her heartfelt words with typical Jalisco yelp of AY-YA-AY.
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