Jean Marie Chaussee

HAMILTON - Jean Marie Chaussee, 59, of Hamilton went home to be with the Lord on Monday, March 17, 2014 following a 32 year battle with cancer and its effects. She was a strong woman with a huge heart, a military service veteran, dedicated medical professional, world traveler, artist, collector and a loving daughter.
Jean was born April 7, 1954 in Minneapolis, MN to Harry M. and Marie H. (Fortin) Chaussee. She spent her life caring for those she loved and the multitudes of people who passed in and out of her life over the years. At the age of 14, Jean worked at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, spending weekends at the medical museums. She later moved with her family to Portland, OR where she attended school and enlisted in the service.
Jean was a great problem solver and believed every life situation was a potential adventure. She was a Cardiac Technician for Emanuel Hospital and a Cardiovascular Surgeon in Portland, OR. Jean later joined two friends in opening the first Osteopathic Cardiology Clinic in Portland. She also enjoyed teaching Cardiac Ultrasound part time at the community hospitals there.
In the fall of 1982 Jean was hospitalized with Malignant Lymphoma and underwent maximum radiation from neck to waist, followed by years of various chemotherapies including experimental ones. Through her illness she discovered that watercolor painting provided emotional grounding and by 1988 she was able to work on physical healing full time.
Jean's healing spilled over onto several others and for the next 15 years people sought her help. Despite many set backs, she and her brother made a way to travel the world. Her paintings and prints were displayed at Gallery 33 in Portland until 1999.
In the spring of 2000 Jean moved to Hamilton, MT where her parents joined her. They loved their home, the beauty of the area and the wonderful life they built together in Hamilton.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Harry M. and Marie Helen Chaussee. She is survived by her brothers, Harry C. Chaussee and his wife Alison of Goldendale, WA and Gilbert F. Chaussee of St. Helens, OR; sister, Micheline A. Doan and husband Mark of Vancouver, WA; nephews, Kevin F. Chaussee and his son Cameron of Portland, OR and Peter W. Romo and his wife Christy and their children, Brieanna and Ryan of Vancouver, WA; nieces, Aimee Doan and her daughter Harper Grace of Minneapolis, MN and Angela M. Radke and her husband Bill and their children Katie, Megan and Zach of Dodge Center, MN.
No formal services will be held at this time.