Mary Brubaker Shares Memories of One of Our Thousand Friends  

Jeannette Eyerly lived a full, celebratory, worthwhile hundred years full of community service and  professional accomplishments -- and so much more. While her husband pursued his career as an editor of the Des Moines Register and Tribune, Jeannette Eyerly raised a family, baked bread, entertained friends, mentored students, gathered in a circle of loyal friends, wrote fiction and non fiction and was honored for her pioneering talents as a writer of ground-breaking, provocative novels for teenagers.   She was devoted to and enjoyed the pleasures of two daughters, six grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and scores of friends and admirers.  

Eyerly's public service included establishing a community mental health center, serving on the Iowa Commission for the Blind and being president of the Des Moines Child Guidance Center.  She received the Iowa Author Award from the Des Moines Public Library foundation, and was inducted into the Iowa Women's Hall of Fame in 2006.

During all the many years of our friendship, I came to admire her more and more for her cheerful optimism, talent for friendship and marvelous skills with the written word.  What many might not know is that she had a deep reverence for nature and saving our environment, and was a passionate bird watcher and gardener and lived a "green" life before it became trendy or so necessary. When I saw that Jeannette was on the advisory board of 1000 Friends of Iowa, I knew it had to be a worthy organization deserving  my support. She lived environmentally with a small footprint but left a huge impression on this earth as a role model for all who care about leaving it a better place

Her friend and fellow writer, Rebecca Christian, wrote this in the Saturday, August 23rd Des Moines Register --  "She said without complaint or self-pity
that although she had had a grander time than anyone could hope for, a century was long enough."  Jeannette Eyerly died on Monday, August 18th, and on Saturday, August 23rd her memorial service was a joyous celebration of her many talents, charm, wit and accomplishments. I think it inspired us all to ponder what we might do with a century like that.

Farewell, fair friend!

Mary Brubaker