Teacher, mother, musical theater aficionado

Jeannette Brainard, a longtime resident of Claremont, died on July 10, 2013. She was 86.

Mrs. Brainard was born on March 6, 1927 in Denver, Colorado to Walter and Lillian Ericson. She lived with her parents and her younger sister, Jerre Ann, in Hillrose, Colorado, where her father owned a Red and White grocery store. 

After graduating from high school, Mrs. Brainard attended college in Hastings, Nebraska, where she met her husband, Ed Brainard. They were married in 1946 and had 4 children, Sherri, Corinne, Bruce and Christine.

In 1956, Mrs. Brainard and her family moved to California, eventually settling in Claremont in 1964, where she lived for the rest of her life.

After obtaining a bachelor’s degree in education, Mrs. Brainard worked as an elementary school teacher for the West Covina Unified School District for 30 years. During that time, she also obtained a master’s degree in counseling. She retired in 1992, but continued to teach as a substitute until 2002.

One of Mrs. Brainard’s greatest loves was music. She began taking piano lessons at an early age and later added voice lessons. She entertained her family by playing the piano and singing her favorite songs, especially music by Cole Porter. She also enjoyed attending live musical theater productions. For Mrs. Brainard, an opportunity to dress up in rhinestones and sequins was always great fun.

Mrs. Brainard will be greatly missed, her family shared. 

Mrs. Brainard is survived by her children, Sherri Brainard of Manila, Philippines, Corinne Chandel of Mountain View, California, Bruce Brainard of Mountain View, California and Christine Brainard of Claremont; and by her sister, Jerre Ann Lloyd of Louisville, Colorado.