Jeanne Carolyn MacLeod (Buss) 1931 - 2026

Minneapolis – Age 94, passed away September 28, 2026. Jeanne grew up in Ridgewood, NJ. She attended St. Lawrence University as an aspiring journalist, becoming the editor of the student paper. Though she never pursued a writing career, her journalistic interest never faded. She was intensely curious about people and the world. She excelled at asking questions and building connections with everyone she met, be it the butcher at Cub or the nurses and caregivers she encountered in her later years. She had a great eye for detail, reporting back the specifics of an event—people, conversations, clothing, food, and décor. She read the newspaper from cover-to-cover, not just to know what was happening in the world but to appreciate the different reporting styles.

At St. Lawrence, Jeanne met her friend, partner and one true love, Tom MacLeod. She cherished her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, but she was absolutely devoted to Tom. The feeling was mutual and they were blessed with 72 years of marriage.

Moving to Minnesota, Deephaven became her heart’s home with many enduring friendships. She loved Lake Minnetonka and being on the boat, especially quiet evenings tootling around the lake with Tom.

Jeanne was complex--fiercely independent, stubborn, demanding with high standards and expectations. She was smart, gracious, loving, and funny. She appreciated a good laugh but could not remember a joke--a blessing for her life filled with Tom’s stories. She loved traveling with Tom, both local and international. Enjoying a good party, Jeanne was a consummate hostess.

Jeanne had a great eye and appreciation for the arts. It was her mission to expose her progeny to a variety of experiences: art, opera, dance (the Nutcracker was an annual favorite), and music. She was proud of her 40+ year tenure as a docent at the Minneapolis Institute of Art and cherished the friendships she built there.

Jeanne’s spirit will be found in natural and created artistry, hoots of an owl, light reflected on the water, and the company of friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents Henry and Grace Buss and her beloved husband, Tom, and is survived by children Leslie (Jim) Lewis, Carolyn (Ben) Cleveland, Tom MacLeod (Christa Anders) and Jennifer (Eric) Rudie, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date.

The family would like to thank the staff of the memory wing at the Waters on 50th for their exceptional care of Jeanne. They gave her autonomy and compassion, enabling her to live her final days with dignity. Thanks also to the wonderful team from Grace Hospice who were a loving presence in Jeanne’s final weeks.

Memorials preferred to Minnesota Colorectal Cancer Research Foundation https://minnesotacolorectal.org/, Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA) https://new.artsmia.org/, or Planned Parenthood https://www.plannedparenthood.org/.