Jeanne Marilyn Hanson Stoppleworth Cape

Jeanne Marilyn Hanson Stoppleworth Cape passed away peacefully at home in Monterey, CA on January 8, 2018.

She was born in Racine, WI on April 1, 1927 to Pearl Ruud Hanson and Alfred Hanson. Her mother was widowed twice and subsequently married George Strombeck, Jeanne’s beloved step-father.

She graduated from Wm Horlick High School in 1945, and moved to Chicago, studying opera at the Conservatory of Music. She attended Dominican College in Racine and became executive secretary for Mel Benstead Sr. at Western Publishing Company, where she met the love of her life, Richard W. Cape, and they married on April 29, 1950. Jeanne was Gracie Allen to the George Burns in Rich, though often switching roles in their comedic banter.

Jeanne was very active in the Women’s Club and Junior League in Racine, volunteered for the hospital auxiliary, enjoyed music and dancing, duplicate bridge, gardening, golf, travel, breakfast club at Cliff’s Boathouse, the Taco Belles, and family activities, especially with grandchildren. Jeanne & Rich also enjoyed 23 years as snowbirds in Fort Meyers, FL.

Survivors include her children, Carrie Cape (Steven) Jacobs of Monterey, CA, Rebecca Cape Postorino of Whitefish Bay, WI, and Richard (Deborah) Cape of Fort Collins, CO; six grandchildren, Nicholas (Sara) Postorino, Sina (Ryan) Teskey, Abigail Cape, Madison Cape, Henry Jacobs, and Benjamin Jacobs; five great-grandchildren, Elena, Luisa and Miles Teskey, Theodore and Juliet Postorino; and nieces and nephews, Fritz (Cherri) Cape, Ruth Cape (Steve) Kent, Sina Cape (Wayne) Downs, and their families. She was preceded in death by her parents and dear husband, Richard, and many extended relatives.

Visitation at Maresh-Meredith and Acklam Funeral Home, 803 Main Street, Racine, will be from 11-12:30 on Sunday, January 14, followed by a Funeral Service at 12:30. In lieu of flowers, donations in her honor can be made to Health Care Network, 904 State Street, Racine, WI 53404, or the charity of your choice.