Cecilia Jane (Jennie) Correa of Echo died on May 19, 2022 in St. Anthony Hospital, Pendleton at the age of 102.
She was born on Jan. 09, 1920 in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada to Lewis and Alma Nevendorf Bergin. Jennie was the ninth out of 11 children in her family.
At the age of 4, she moved with her family to Spokane, Wash. Jennie attended Lewis & Clark grade school and middle school. Jennie’s father thought she was musically talented as a young girl, so he bought her a violin, which she learned to play.
In 1935, Jennie’s family moved to the Stanfield area. This is where Jenny met her future husband, Jess A. Correa Jr. They were united in marriage on Jan. 30, 1936. They made their home on the family farm in Echo, where they raised their four boys: David, Richard (Skeeter), Randy and Rocky.
Jennie’s life was her family and the family farm on the Echo Meadows. Jennie and Jess raised many different crops and livestock. After Jess’s passing, Jennie turned the farming/cattle operations over to her second son, Richard (Skeeter). She continued to be an active part of the farm until her death. Jennie lived on the family farm for 86 years.
Jennie went to work for Inland Empire Bank in Umatilla and Hermiston, where she was the bank bookkeeper for 18 years. In 1977, Jennie and her son Rocky purchased and operated a grocery store (Main Street Market) in Stanfield, where she worked until her retirement in 1980.
Jennie enjoyed gardening, baking and sewing and was a very talented artist. She painted countless oil paintings as gifts for her family and friends. Her favorite pastime was watching the daily activities on the farm through the big picture window in her living room. You would find her in her favorite chair with her faithful companion Tilly (kitty) watching her world outside and always ready for a visitor.
Jennie was a very loving wife, mother and grandmother (both great and great-great) to her family. In 102 years, Jennie had experienced more in life than any of us will ever know. She touched so many lives and has truly left a legacy amongst her family. The words that would describe Jennie would be intelligent, independent, loving, funny, talented, and a great storyteller. The one word that best describes Jennie, and so many people will agree, is AMAZING.
Jennie is survived by her children, David L. Correa and Richard J. (Skeeter) Correa; grandchildren, Kari Kennedy, Jeff (Kathi) Correa, Shelli Correa, Shane (Jodi) Correa, Devin (Melanie) Correa, Neal Correa, Kevin Correa and Lindsay (Jake) Markgraf; great grandchildren, Nicole (Shaun) Dominguez, Garrett and Gage Correa, Qwinn Correa, Gabe, Grayson and Briar Markgraf and Aeliana Correa; great-great granddaughter, Payton Avery Dominguez; niece, Darlene Justice; nephew, Allen Bergin; and several nephews and nieces.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Jess A. Correa Jr.; sons, Randy and Rocky Correa; her parents; siblings; daughters-in-law, Carol Correa and Cathey Correa; her great grandson, Cody Correa; along with several other family members and special friends.
A graveside burial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 26 at the Echo Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Jennie’s honor may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to a charity of your choice.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of the services.
