Clellanna J. “Jean” Soares

Clellanna J. “Jean” Soares

November 3, 1937 – January 28,2024

Clellana Jean Soares, known as Jean, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 28th, 2024, while sleeping. She was born on November 3, 1937, in Central City, Nebraska, to the late Raymond and Dorothy Roumpf.

Jean, a devoted mother, grandmother, auntie and friend, had a passion for life that was indomitable. She faced her fair share of obstacles in life, but refused to allow the hurdles to dictate her path.  She had a strength and determination that propelled her through many adventures and adversities.

As a young woman, Jean went to college to study nursing.  When family finances became tight, Jean left college and chose to expand her education to the real world.  She landed in a studio apartment in San Francisco, firmly striking out on her own to further her education by taking on pathways that many young women of her time did not.  She chose roads less traveled.

After saving up her money working as a Pricing Clerk at the Carpenter Paper Company in San Francisco, Jean hopped on a plane to enroll in college at the University of Hawaii.  A month later, she bumped into a handsome young Hawaiian man, also a student at the university.  Their chemistry and connection was readily apparent.  Four months after meeting, Robert (Bob) Bonciano Soares proposed to Jean and they married two months later on February 24th, 1961.

Together Bob and Jean shared 52 years of marriage, until his death in 2013.   Jean found joy in the simple pleasures and cherished spending time with her family, creating lasting memories.  She adored children and babies, especially.  To that end, she had five of her own:  Sherry (1963), Holly (1964), Haunani (1966), Ty (1967), and Kiri (1971).

She also had a brilliant mind for numbers and accounting.   In 1973, she joined Helget Home Care as their billing, accounting, and payroll specialist, supporting this family-owned medical supply company for 42 years until her retirement in 2015.  As a hard-working mother of five, Jean passed down her interminable work-ethic to each of her five children, all of whom became accomplished professionals in their own right.

As her own babies and grandbabies grew, Jean merged these two great loves into a special fondness for Beanie Babies.  Her extensive collection brought her immense happiness and joy. Clella’s enthusiasm for collecting Beanie Babies was little understood by her family, but what we all knew and could appreciate was how much joy she found in each one of them – of which there are literally thousands!

In retirement, Jean enjoyed gardening, spending time and vacations with her children, and connecting with extended relatives via Facebook and facetime.  Jean’s third passion for basically anything new and electronic sustained her ability to maintain these long-distance relationships!

Jean had a warm smile, a truly kind heart, and unwavering love for her family.  She took pride in each of her children and grandchildren, and pushed all of them to find and become the best version of themselves. She was a pillar of strength and support, always ready to lend a listening ear, offer a wise council, and always – her love.

Jean Soares leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and kindness that will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.  She was preceded in death by her husband Robert, brothers Keith & Galen (Roumpf), and parents Dorothy and Raymond (Roumpf).  She is survived by her children and grandchildren: Sherry Soares (grandchildren Sean and Erin), Holly Soares (granddaughters Antonia and Isabel), Haunani Comenduley (son-in-law Matt), Ty Soares (daughter-in-law Jean), and Kiri Soares (son-in-law Harvey LaReau and grandson, Dashiel LaReau).

The soul takes flight to the world that is invisible but there arriving she is sure of bliss and forever dwells in paradise. – Plato

May her soul rest in peace, knowing she was loved and cherished by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

A celebration of Jean’s life will be held on Monday, February 5th at 10AM at the funeral home of Heafey Hoffman Dworak at 7805 West Center Road.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in memory of Clellana Jean Soares.