Miriam Helen Jelinek

Miriam Helen Devereux was born in Adair, Iowa to Ann Lalley and Bernard Devereux. She was the third of eight children and fondly spoke of her childhood growing up on the family's farm. She attended boarding school at Mt. Loretto Catholic School for girls in Council Bluffs, Iowa. After high school, Miriam completed X-Ray Technician training in Kansas City Missouri and went on to work at hospitals in Chicago and Seattle. However, she still hoped to become a nun and join the Carmelite Order; but it was not to be. Her sister, Barbara, dragged her along to a Catholic singles dance where Miriam met Jay Paul Jelinek and fell in love.

They were engaged 6 weeks later and married June of 1955. They spent most of their married life in Seattle with Jay's engineering career at Boeing; though some of their happiest times were in later years when Jay worked in Italy, France and Germany. They both loved the adventure and travel. After raising her children, Miriam began a second career in real estate sales. She was one of the first agents to specialize in high rise condos in the mid 1970's and would always say she "loved every minute of her real estate career". Miriam continued in residential sales until 1990 when she and Jay moved to Europe.
Miriam led a quieter life after Jay passed away in 2001. She had elegant taste and a refined eye, but will be remembered most for her amazing ability to score a bargain!
In addition to her beloved husband, Miriam was preceded in death by two infant daughters, Mary Rita and Ann Marie, and her son, Paul, who passed away in November. Her brother, Jim, and sister, Madelyn, also preceded her in death.
Miriam is survived by her daughters, Lorrie, Jane (Jim Harrison) and Carol (Don Riddell); daughter in law, Lisa (Paul's widow); her grandchildren, Devereux, Ruby and Mary Riddell, Jack and Annie Harrison, and Jack Jelinek; her siblings, Sr. Sheila Devereux, Margaret Gronstal, Barbara Shain, Rose Eagan, and Tom Devereux, as well as their spouses and many children. Miriam felt especially blessed to have such a fun-loving family!
Miriam's children would like to thank her best friend, Barbara Brophy, who was so faithful and loving through these past years, as well as the wonderful staff at Mirabella Retirement Home. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Providence Hospice or The Mirabella Foundation. A private family funeral was held at Christ Our Hope Catholic Church in Seattle.
Hoffner Fisher & Harvey
Guestbook at harveyfuneral.com