ABOUT

My name is Jean Bartlett and my website is all about people. While it began with a focus on "life celebration" through biography-obituaries, it has grown to include living biographies, artist portraits, stories on companion best friends and briefs. These "briefs" are a continuation of the type of feature I have written for various Bay Area newspapers for two decades – profiles, events and business stories. I do this for a living.

Included among those articles, are more than 2,300 features for the Pacifica Tribune. I have additionally written for such print and online media as the: San Jose Mercury, Oakland Tribune, San Mateo Times, Contra Costa County Times, Peninsula Progress, Coastal Connections, Bay Area Business Woman, Marin Independent Journal, Twin City Times, Ross Valley Reporter, Making Everlasting Memories and Catholic San Francisco. I have also worked as a family history biographer, stepping into numerous Bay Area homes to interview individuals for their keepsake biography. In addition, I've spent a good number of years working as an editor.

I've also written a few books. In 2012, I was commissioned by Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Colma, California – where more than 370,000 have been laid to rest – to write a historic guide book in honor of the Cemetery's 125th anniversary. "125 Years of History, Ministry & Service" tells the tale of the founding of Colma's largest and oldest cemetery. It also offers 70 deeply researched biographical narratives on some of the Cemetery's more famous residents. One of those stories – on Sister Mary Baptist Russell – can be found on this website.

In 2016, I was commissioned to write a second book for Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery. Dedicated to all members of the United States Armed Forces, "Roll Call ~ Reveille" introduces 55 individuals who served in wars dating back to the U.S.-Mexican War and on through the Civil War, Spanish-American War, WWI and WWII. One of those stories – on WWII veteran Angelo Mazza – can be found on this website. Local artist Hugh Zeng did the cover art for both books and both books are available at the Cemetery.

In addition, a little farther back, 2001, I wrote the award-winning children's book, IndiAsia and the Dragon. I've also written numerous staged plays, including one for American Conservatory Theater Young Conservatory. In my earliest professional writing days, I spent time as a freelance writer for Hallmark Cards, Inc., and as a lyricist and melody writer for various Bay Area bands. And just to keep things entertaining, I wrote four video commercials for four Pacifica businesses, back in 2012.

I believe every human being has a lot to teach, to engage and to share with their story, and all of our stories – past, present and future – connect us. That belief has built this website. Please keep in mind, there is only one writer, interviewer, and researcher, and that's me. That is also why this is an old-fashioned, word-of-mouth type business. Having a story on someone important to you really does matter. What you spend now, will touch the lives of future generations.

Jean Bartlett, January, 2017 and continuing...