Jeanne Tyler Hoyt

Jeanne Tyler Hoyt was born September 24, 1919. She grew up in Sherman Oaks and attended North Hollywood High School. While going to dance classes in Hollywood, she met her dance partner, Gower Champion. They won a major dance competition at the Coconut Grove nightclub, competing against 150 professional dancers. Gower and Jeanne, billed as America’s youngest dance team, toured the country along with Big Bands and appeared on Broadway.

While volunteering at a hospital in New York during World War II, she met and married Dr. Ned Estridge. They settled down to life in Redlands and raised 3 children but subsequently divorced in 1972. She still had a young daughter at home and spent time traveling and learning to ski with her.

Later in life, Jeanne married William Hoyt. They had a very active life together, skiing, kayaking and traveling. Their honeymoon was spent dog sledding in Alaska. Jeanne and Bill were involved in the Redlands Citizen’s Patrol, logging more than 11,000 hours of service and winning awards such as The President’s Volunteer Service Award and Redland’s Senior Citizens of Distinction. In Al and Tipper Gore’s book Joined at the Heart, Chapter 6, Jeanne and Bill were the examples of the importance of play in life.

Jeanne was predeceased by her husband, William Hoyt, her son, Ty Estridge and her daughter, Vicky Estridge. She is survived by her brother, Edwin Tyler, her daughter, Sharon Estridge, 5 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and 5 great great grandchildren.