Born and raised in Kansas City, Kansas to Glenn and Edna Whitmill Jeanne was the fourth of nine children and the oldest girl in the bunch. After graduating from Ward High School, she attended Donnelly College and earned an associate’s degree. Somewhere along the way, she attended a social event with members of the military. There she would meet the love of her life. A strikingly handsome, witty, and smart Marine. In 1959, on January 24th following his time in the service, she married Thomas R. Dervin. She supported Tom through college while working and starting their family. Jeanne would eventually, if not quickly, give birth to seven sons. Each one is just as handsome, witty, and smart, like their father.
Jeanne was a member of Cure of Ars Catholic Church for 56 years and ran the preschool there for 12 years. She was a member of the Johnson County Serra Club, an active volunteer for so many causes including St. Mary’s Food Kitchen and was the coordinator of Cure of Ars Bereavement Ministry. She lived her life with a passion to help others and prayed daily for her family and others in this world, most of whom she never knew. The promise she asked of her sons was to “Be kind to everyone and stay close to Jesus, because that’s the way to heaven.” Just a few kind words and a smile can go a long way.
Jeanne is preceded in death by her parents Glenn and Edna, two preterm babies, siblings Jim, Joe, Don, Ed, Dorothy and Mary, her oldest son Chuck, her husband Tom, great grandchildren Conor, Charlotte and Madison. She is survived by six sons and daughters-in-law Rich(Julie), Ed, Dan(Ann), Mike(LaDonna), Kevin(Gretchen), Eric(Paige)…seventeen grandchildren Meghan(Erik), Melissa(Calvin), Andy, Rachel(Thomas), Michaela, William, Mitchell, Veronica, Robert, Schuyler, Jessica, Conner, Ryan, Kaitlyn, Hayleah, Caroline, T.J., twelve great grandchildren Hudson, Hailee, Hogan, Christian, Russell, Jonas, Quinn, Lydia, Sloan, Liam, Isla and Faye.
A Rosary will be prayed at 5:00 PM followed by a visitation from 5:15-7:00 PM Thursday, May 14, 2026 at the Porter Funeral Home, 8535 Monrovia St., Lenexa, KS. Funeral Mass will be 10:00 AM, Friday, May 15, 2026 at Cure of Ars Catholic church, 9405 Mission Road, Leawood, KS. Burial at Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa, KS. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to: Sister Servants of Mary, 800 N. 18th St., Kansas City, KS 66102