Jean Elizabeth Driver is called Jeanie by her friends. Her and husband Frank (90 years old this month!) were married in 1948 and shortly after came from their Portland apartment with Frank's mom to look at some Corbett land. Finding beautiful acreage on a sunny day, Frank and Jeanie had yet to learn about the east winds. Purchasing the land, they both set out to build their home, building it in stages as they were able. Frank's mom was given the acre next to them, and Frank eventually built her a home as well. Jeanie tells me her mother-in-law was her very best friend and was known by her three children as "Grandma on the Hill." At age 18, Jeanie had started her nursing career at Good Samaritan Hospital in Portland. For more than 26 years she worked steady as a part-time nurse while raising her family in Corbett. Recently Jeanie was featured on the front cover of Clarence Mershon's Book about local women of WWII. Frank was one of the very first volunteer firefighters and both were involved with the VFW, doing many community service projects over the years. Frank and Jeanie grew daffodils on their property. How did this all get started? A friend, Murray Evans who was a pioneer hybridizer suggested to Jeanie she could grow them and get a $1 per bulb. It was his intent to keep Jeanie busy so Frank could come fishing with him more often. The income sounded great to her, but she included Frank on the project! Together they raised the flowers for 19 years, calling it quits in 2000. Murray Evans is the one who named the business for them, giving it the name "Bonnie Brae." This was a "good Scotch name" after Jeanie's heritage. Enjoying a cup of hot tea, I enjoyed hearing tales of days gone by with someone who helped make Corbett what we enjoy today!
