TRAVERSE CITY — Jeanne S. Gelston, 93, of Traverse City, passed peacefully after a short illness on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2011, at Munson Hospice.Wife, mom and grandmother, Jeanne was born Nov. 3, 1917, in Saginaw. She was the daughter of Herman E. Speerstra and Maude (Fischer) Speerstra. On June 13, 1941, she married Bill Gelston in Alma. Both Bill and Jeanne graduated from Alma College, were members of the "Greatest Generation" and loved to ballroom dance. Jeanne tuned in nightly to listen to big band music.Bill preceded Jeanne in death after 63 years of marriage in 2003.Jeanne lived in Saginaw, Alma and Cadillac before moving to Traverse City 45 years ago. Jeanne was a longtime member of the Central United Methodist Church, AAUW and was involved for many years with the Girl Scouts Crooked Tree Council.Over the years, Jeanne became involved with many extracurricular activities that included pottery, crafts and gardening as well as serving as vice president of the Girl Scouts Crooked Tree Council. Jeanne was a troop leader for her daughters and friends. Jeanne was a member of many well-known associations, such as the planning commission in Elmwood Township and the Leelanau planning commission. She also was actively involved with the lymphoma group and was a member of the Central United Methodist Fellowship group and the Women's Society.Jeanne loved her family and friends, enjoyed creating nature crafts, walking the beach and being near Lake Michigan. She liked travel, art, sculpture, good conversation, positive thinking and was an avid reader. She was a kind, warm-hearted, strong and beautiful lady.Jeanne is survived by her children, Bill (Kathryn) Gelston, of Moraga, Calif., Margo (Atam) Lalchandani, of Incline, Nev., and Kathy (Jack) Miller, of West Chester, Pa. She also is survived by her five grandchildren, Katy and John Miller and Elise, Sasha and Kevin Gelston. She was preceded in death by her sister, Eileen Craney.Her children celebrated Jeanne's life during a private memorial service at the Central United Methodist Church with the Rev. Chris Lane facilitating.The family greatly appreciates the special care and love provided to their mother for the last 10 years at Brigadoon Independent Living and by a special family friend, Mary Ellen Littwiler.In remembrance of Jeanne, contributions may be directed to the Crooked Tree Girl Scout Council of Traverse City.Please sign Jeanne's online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.