A Life of Art and Purpose

She called Santa Clarita home back when horses roamed the streets of Lyons Avenue and the town was surrounded with onion fields. Born in Newark, New Jersey, and raised in Pittsburgh, Jeanne Wray eventually made her way to the Santa Clarita Valley, 32 years ago.
While adversity came at a young age, it’s clear, nothing stops Jeanne’s determination to live an abundant life. At 17 months old, she was diagnosed with Polio, and took her first steps walking when she was just five years old. At a young age, Jeanne often had to relocate to different schools due to her family’s work. “My parents moved a lot,” states Jeanne. “I was in 11 schools, with three different schools in first grade alone. It was tough.” Following her father’s career, Jeanne’s family eventually moved to the west coast and Jeanne attended North Hollywood Junior and Senior High School, where she met her life long friend of 67 years, Sally Walker. “She passed away in March and I miss her dearly.
Jeanne has two children, Matthew, who was adopted from Ireland, and Jill, a Santa Clarita resident.  She also has two step children from her late husband, Henry, 12 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.  “I also have many young ladies who want me to be their mother, and their kids call me ‘grandma,’” states a smiling Jeanne.  Jeanne and her family moved to the Santa Clarita Valley in 1978 and has been a resident ever since.
Talent is definitely an understatement when you look at all the beautiful artwork Jeanne has done.  “I am an artist,” states Jeanne.  “I began painting when my children were in junior high school. I took some art lessons and had an opportunity to work with many amazing people.  Now, my paintings are all over the world.”  
“I had a vacation home in Cambria, where much of my inspiration came,” states Jeanne.  “I love to paint and have learned from the best.”  Jeanne had two art galleries, one on Laurel Canyon and one on Lankershim in Hollywood.
And if painting didn’t keep Jeanne busy, her volunteer work sure did.  “Where do I even begin?” questions Jeanne.
Jeanne spent six years working a hotline for the Center for Crisis Pregnancy in the San Fernando Valley in the early 1990’s.  “That was quite an experience.  We helped girls in trouble, and I would often come home in tears.”  For five years, Jeanne also led a group of women and would go to the central juvenile hall in Los Angeles twice a month and put on luncheons and entertain groups.  “We would even put on a big Christmas show, and it kept us quite busy.”  Jeanne also spent time volunteering in the pediatric department at the Northridge Hospital and was involved with the Santa Clarita Christian Women’s Group.  
Her volunteer days were also accompanied with being an activist in her community.  “Before we moved to the SCV I lived in the San Fernando Valley.  Well, we didn’t have a sewer system in those days, and it was awful.  So instead of listening to everyone complain, I did something about it.  For several days, I picketed City Hall in Van Nuys.  I was even on the Paul Coach show.”  Just a few months later, Jeanne’s hard work flourished, as the city began working on sewers in her community.  “If I get stirred up on a certain subject, I can’t help myself.  Let’s see what we can do, and let’s do it.”  And it’s with this attitude and motivation that drives Jeanne to do all that she has done to help others.
Jeanne began taking computer classes at the SCV Senior Center, also working with the Silver Tone Singers.  She now handles submissions for the Mighty Oak publication.   
A mother, sister, daughter, friend, artist, and activist, Jeanne has done it all.  “I have many wonderful memories.  I never sat back and let life happen, I made life happen.”   With 17 cruises under her belt, 80 candles on the birthday cake, Jeanne continues to live life to the fullest.