D. Jeanne Pitsenberger

Doris Jeanne Pitsenberger, loving wife of Graham A. Pitsenberger, Jr., died in a pedestrian hit-and-run accident in Austin, TX on October 19, 2022.

Known by all as Jeanne, she was born on November 18, 1945 in Greensburg, PA to the late Wayne Hays and Doris Marie (Peters) Bossart. She was the oldest of six children and helped raise her younger siblings, serving as a "second mother" to them all. Throughout her life, she was an ultimate model of service, love, and encouragement.

Most recently she loved traveling and cruising with Graham; together they visited all 50 states and over 80 countries. Jeanne loved doing for others, socializing, volunteering, nursing, genealogy, cooking, flying, and writing. Most of all, she loved spending time with family, especially her two grandchildren; family was her pride and joy. In 2020 she wrote and self-published a memoir about her life and family.

She received her B.A. in Biology from Seton Hill College, her B.S. in Nursing from Eastern Mennonite University, and her M.S. (Nurse Practitioner) from James Madison University.

She served as a biology teacher at Sweet Briar College, and as a nurse in the emergency room, public health and family planning, occupational health, Augusta Regional Free Clinic, and as a Nurse Practitioner. In 1995 Jeanne was the Virginia Occupational Health Nurse of the Year. Even after retirement, she continued to study nursing and remained current in the health profession.

She received her Private Pilot certificate in 1968, which stimulated her love of the “wild blue yonder.” She went on to become a Certified Air Traffic Control Tower Operator at Andrews Air Force Base in Washington, D.C. Later she became a glider flight instructor, teaching many local pilots.

Jeanne was a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses. She was also a member of the Nursing Honor Society, American Board of Occupational Health Nursing, and Virginia Council of Nurse Practitioners. She was also active in Shenandoah Valley Soaring Club, Glenmore Hunt Club, and was the volunteer treasurer with the Friends of the Augusta County Library organization.

In addition to her husband, Graham, she is survived by her children, Todd A. Pitsenberger and wife Karla, and Paige A. Kite and husband Jason; two beloved grandchildren, Zyler Kite and Ahlia Kite; her sisters, Barbara S. Somers (Jeffery), Linda R. Brigaman (William), and Audrey M. Dell (David); and her brothers, Timothy W. Bossart (Debbie) and Scott A. Bossart (Cindy); and many beloved nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends at a Celebration of Life on November 20, 1:30 PM until 4:30 PM at Best Western Plus Waynesboro Inn & Suites.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made online to the JMU Foundation, to the School of Nursing scholarship fund at tinyurl.com/jp-memorial or via mail to the JMU Foundation - fund #1000305; in memory of D. Jeanne Pitsenberger.