Nedra "Jean" Whitaker Fincham

Nedra Jean Whitaker Fincham was born the eldest child of school teacher and civil rights activist Neely Vines Whitaker and homemaker Nedra Ann Winans Whitaker on July 13, 1933 in Pasadena, California. Jean passed just seven days after her beloved husband, Robert James “Bud” Fincham. A graduate of Pasadena Academy and music student at Compton Community College, Jean caught Bud’s eye while playing the organ at First Presbyterian Church in Compton, California. Bud was taken by her talent and beauty-perhaps in reverse order. Jean was impressed by the handsome sailor wearing his dress whites. Upon introducing Bud to her parents that evening, her father, Neely, said “that is my guy! They will marry and be very happy.” Their love was the central force in Jean’s life. Bud and Jean remained smitten through their letter writing courtship and became engaged after just three in-person visits. Married in 1954 while Bud was serving in the Korean Conflict, Jean gave birth to their first son at Point Loma-naval base while Bud was on tour in Northeast Asia. Post service days, while Bud was studying at California Polytechnic College in San Luis Obispo, they welcomed their second son, and Jean mothered the two babies while living in a trailer (with shared outhouse bathrooms) on campus in “Vetville.” The family moved to Portland, for Bud to start his career with John Deere company where a third son was welcomed into the growing family. Relocated by John Deere to Bend, Oregon in 1962, Jean wondered if she might have been sent to the end of the earth. She grew to love Bend and while her pride for Bend grew, so did her family as a daughter completed the family of six. Jean was gifted in design and in the kitchen. She and Bud loved traveling and Jean became a Italophile. Her family and friends benefited from her love of all things Italian and enjoyed many meals she seemingly effortlessly produced. She deeply loved children-those she didn’t know, and particularly fiercely, her family. Jean enjoyed gardening, hiking the many mountain trails with her “Boots on the Move” friends, great food, games, family, music and, especially, golf. With a volunteer's heart, she freely gave her time to St. Charles Medical Center, Bend Public Schools, First Presbyterian Church of Bend, and PEO, AI, Bend. Jean was happiest in the presence of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, traveling the world with Bud, and on Awbrey Glen golf course where she made a hole-in-one in 1999. After 72 years of marriage Jean passed just a week after Bud on June 27, 2026 from Alzheimer’s Disease, sixteen days prior to her 93rd birthday. Jean was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Robert James “Bud” Fincham and brother Larry (Margaret) Whitaker. Jean is survived by her children Robert Jr. (Jill) Fincham, Joseph (Debbie) Fincham, Stanley Fincham, and Julie Ann (Bradley Volin) Fincham, her grandchildren Nathan (Nicole) Fincham, Sean (Kristen) Fincham, Hana (Brandt) Nevin, Elaiah Rose Volin, Elianajoy Volin, seven great grandchildren, and sister Gail (Conrad) Willett. Memorial Donations can be made to: Housed Working and Healthy TeamHWH.org/donate P.E.O. Executive Office, Treasurer’s Dept., 3700 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312. Online donations can be made at: https://peo-portal.com/donations?step=0 Niswonger-Reynolds Funeral Home was honored to handle the arrangements.

Nedra "Jean" Whitaker Fincham

July 13, 1933 - June 27, 2026