Jeanne Carolyn Whitehouse, 85, of Albuquerque, NM, died peacefully with her daughters by her side as the sun rose over the Sandias on November 1st, 2024, while under hospice care. Born in Walla Walla, Washington, Jeanne was a beloved educator, writer, and children's literature specialist whose work reflected her deep passion for family, community, language, and culture.

Together with her husband, David Kammer, she lovingly tended an urban garden in the historic Nob Hill area of Albuquerque, where their State Fair blue-ribbon-winning chile collections were a local favorite. Jeanne and David were avid birders with nearly 500 species of birds on their life lists. They traveled the world to experience diverse cultures and observe birds in their natural habitats. They also shared a love for exploring New Mexico’s back roads along Route 66 while listening to Hawaiian music—another place they loved to visit—where David’s work as a Route 66 historian brought them closer to the heart of the state’s rich history.

Early in her life, Jeanne served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Borneo with her first husband, Philip Peterson. She then attended Columbia University’s Teachers College in New York City, where her daughters Frances Taylor and Ellen Peterson Hartley were born, and her daughter, Catherine Arlowe, was adopted. In the early 1970s, Jeanne moved to Albuquerque with her family and continued her lifelong dedication to education. She taught courses in children's literature and language arts at the University of New Mexico for over 20 years and co-directed the Rio Grande Writing Project.

Writing under the name Jeanne Whitehouse Peterson, Jeanne's literary work garnered national acclaim, earning her several prestigious awards. Among her celebrated books is I Have a Sister - My Sister is Deaf, which was honored as a Coretta Scott King Award Honor Book in 1979 and selected for Reading Rainbow. Other notable titles published by HarperCollins include My Mama Sings, Sometimes I Dream Horses, That is That, While the Moon Shines Bright, and Don’t Forget Winona.

In her later years, Jeanne found joy in tending her garden, volunteering at Chatter, and spending time with friends. A true lover of nature and all its mysteries, Jeanne was one-of-a-kind: always seeking new experiences while remaining grounded in the beauty of everyday life. She was deeply cherished by many in her community, not only for her wisdom and generosity, but also for her boundless curiosity, social grace, and the genuine interest she took in everyone she met.

Jeanne is survived by Frances and her husband Louis, Ellen and her husband Brian, and Catherine. She also leaves behind her beloved grandchildren, Barrett, Adelaide, Lucy, and Olive, as well as her step-grandchildren, Kyra and Brody. Jeanne will be fondly remembered by her extended family, including Phil, Holly, and Alex, along with Zephir, Adiya, and Wilder. She was preceded in death by her cherished husband, David.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, please honor Jeanne by planting a tree, reading a book to a child, or sipping tea while enjoying the company of a good friend.