Jeanne Tyson Kretz's Obituary
Mary Jeanne Tyson, also known as Grandmarmee, was born on December 30,1930. She was the first-born child of CJ and Ethel Tyson, and older sister to Barbara Marie.
Jeanne grew up in Dallas, residing in the heart of Dallas before moving to a beautiful farm north of town off Greenville Avenue when it was still a dirt road. Even though her father loved the beautiful countryside, he wanted his girls to have a better ‘city’ education, so they moved to Hanover Street, where the girls would attend the schools of Highland Park School District. Mom sang and played the piano for the high school choirs. After graduating from Highland Park High, she attended SMU and Baylor to pursue a music major, but this was interrupted when she met Dexter C Davidson, and they married in 1950.
Four children followed. As Dad pursued his career in air conditioning and heating, Jeanne worked for Sarah Coventry, eventually working up to a VP of regional sales. She won many a trip that she and dad would enjoy together. Mom also loved playing bridge, and we remember the many bridge parties our parents would host in our home on Beaverbrook Lane, as well as participating in bridge tournaments in the United States and around the world. Mom achieved the rank of Sapphire Life Master in 2016. Mom also maintained her love for music, singing solos in church, and signing her children up for piano lessons. We also waterskied as a family and looked forward to our annual summer trip to see our grandparents in Arkansas.
After her 20+ years with Sarah Coventry, Mom decided to start Wonderful World of Cooking. She grew her business from 1 commissary and 1 tea room to eventually having 12 franchises. Later, she opened The Opera House Restaurant on the city square in McKinney, Texas. Mom, like her parents, loved the country, so she sold her Dallas home and bought a farm in Anna, Texas. More than a few of her grandchildren remember fishing and enjoying the land as well!
She finally retired in her mid-eighties and moved from McKinney back to Dallas. She continued to enjoy bridge, reading, and her extended family. She passed on May 5th, 2023 and was reunited with her parents, her sister Barbara, and her beloved son, Bobby.
Jeanne is survived by 3 children: Marsha J Page (Bert), Susan L Davidson, James C Davidson;
grandchildren: Robert Page (Heather), Hudson Page (Laura), Bethany Olmstead (Jack), Meredith Mogan (Scott), Andrea Pollock (Eks Wye), Laura Steiner, Kyle Steiner, Benjamin Davidson; great-grandchildren: Lacey and Amber Page, Ellorie, Justus, Hollis, and Thayer Page, Micah, Garrett, and Lana Mogan, Ivy and Quinn Pollock.
A Celebration of Life Service for Jeanne Tyson Kretz will be Saturday, June 24, 2023 at 10:00 AM in the Memorial Chapel at Restland Funeral Home.
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