Irwin-Locke, Jane Annette (Beebe) 'JB'

Jane Annette (Beebe) “JB” Irwin-Locke, 74, of Norco, Calif., formerly of Walker, died Jan. 27, 2012, at her home. Funeral services: 11 a.m. Friday at Pierce Brothers Crestlawn Memorial Chapel in Riverside, Calif., followed by a graveside service at noon. The casket will be closed.

Survivors include her children: son Jack Irwin and wife Janette of Norco, Calif., son James Irwin of Phoenix, daughter Jill Irwin of Norco, Calif., and daughter Janice Johnson of Seattle, Wash.; brother, Max Beebe of Fort Collins, Colo.; sister, Rayma Krieder of Vero Beach, Fla.; 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Herman Steward Beebe and Gretchen Gertrude Beebe; and Joseph Leroy Irwin.

Jane was born in an old farmhouse in Iowa, a daughter of Herman S. and Gretchen G. Beebe. For many years the family lived part time in Iowa and Florida, where she graduated from Palm Beach High School. Jane always joked about going to school with Bert Reynolds. She married Jack R. Irwin and they headed to California, where she spent most of her adulthood.

She was very active in politics, being well versed and passionate about the issues of the day. She held many positions like delegate for United Federation of Republican Women and precinct worker for the Democratic Party in Iowa.

Her hobbies were reading, music, travel and gardening. She was most at home near the ocean.

Jane and Jack had five children - all their names started with a J and were blue-eyed. In her later years, Jane moved back to the Hard Scrabble farmhouse in Walker, Iowa to care for her parents and start an organic herb farm and business.

After the death of her parents, Jane returned to California to be with her children and grandchildren.

Fifteen years ago she beat colon cancer. Shortly after arriving in California, she dealt with skin cancer and the colon cancer coming back for another round. Son Jack lived with her the last nine weeks of her life and watched with amazement of the dignity she maintained with her battle.

She was an awesome daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend.

Published in The Gazette Feb. 3, 2012