Jan McNamer

Jan McNamer, 68, of Boise, formerly of Mountain Home, died at her home on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008.

Funeral services were held Monday, Sept 15, at the Wright Congregational United Church of Christ in Boise, with Rev Michael Black, a longtime friend from the Senate, officiating. Services were under the direction of Bowman Funeral Home.

Jan was born on July 27, 1940, in Boise, the daughter of Murray and Neva Shaw of Mountain Home.

"She was born of strong pioneering stock and has the Idaho Pioneer Certificate to prove it," her family said.

She grew up in Mountain Home and the logging camps in the Fall Creek area.

Jan attended school in Mountain Home, graduating from Mountain Home High School in 1958.

She then attended and graduated from Nampa Business College and began working as a secretary for Equitable Life Assurance Company in 1959, prior to marrying Verl Beam of Nampa. To that union her two sons were born, Gordon Thomas and Dearl James Beam. They were later divorced.

"Jan enjoyed working as a secretary, her family said, "and was employed by the City of Nampa, Trus Joist Corp. and Morrison Knudsen, to name a few."

She lived in Denver, Colo., and Pacifica, Calif. at which time she worked for the Blount Construction Co.. and the Fred J. Early Corp in the financial district of San Francisco as an Equal Employment Opportunity officer. She later returned to her home state and worked for the Boise Chamber of Commerce and the Idaho State Senate.

Hobbies included playing the piano, gardening, fishing, traveling and collecting anything related to giraffes.

During her working career she was active in the Professional Secretaries and the National Association of Women in Construction organizations. She obtained her CPS (Certified Professional Secretary) rating in 1980. She was also a member of the VFW Auxillary.

In 1983 she met and married Harry McNamer and they had resided in Boise ever since.

"Together they enjoyed many miles of travel and companionship, visiting friends and relatives, and seeing the states from ocean to ocean when they drove long-haul semis for Motor West of Caldwell," her family said.

Jan retired early due to health issues.

She became friends with the owners of "All the Buzzz" coffee shop on Ustick Road and Mary Lynn and Kavin "concocted a super special coffee drink just for her," her family said.

"Having been a diabetic for over 20 years it was a real challenge to come up with a drink that she could enjoy."

Jan was preceded in death by her husband, Harry in 2006, and her oldest son, Gordon, in 2003.

"She will be missed terribly by family and friends," her family said.

She is survived by: her son, Dearl of Grand Junction, Colo.; sister Patsy Zaske of Mountain Home; sister Marge Hering (Jim) of Boise; one grandson; Harry's children, Jennifer, Martin and Judy, and several nieces and nephews.