We are sorry that we missed the notification of Do's death in December. In recent years our annual contact was a phone call and card in the month of our Birthdays, which we often celebrated together when Do was the preschool director and later children's ministry director at the congregation I served from 1982-2006: Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Encinitas, CA. So much fun as we worked together. Our theologies matched, our life perspectives matched perfectly, we had a great time working and playing together. I think I had begun to think Do would live forever, just as she thought she would.Her presence was a bright light in this world that can become dark at times. Thanks be to the Universe for creating such a soul that touched so many others with light and love.

It has been many years since I last saw Do but we were tight back in the 1980's through our faith at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. I felt extremely fortunate to have Do in my life as a newly married 22 year-old who had just moved from NYC to San Diego. I was experiencing homesickness, culture shock, marriage shock (after living long distance) and the job hunting blues all at once. Do was normalcy, someone with a lot of common sense and good humor. She helped me make the transition into adult life on the West Coast far from my family and friends. She loved the arts as much as I did, and could make the meanest blueberry muffins. She injected love into everything she did and that was the big takeaway. She lived her faith. There will never be another Do Jasinek. Her passing is a great loss. Changing my faith and going to church every Sunday really paid off when Do was in the mix. Her beautiful, welcoming spirit showed me what it was that made a place feel like home. She lit the way. RIP Do.

In searching for Do's current phone number, I came upon the obituary on this site. Do was a very special friend to me. I worked for her husband Bill at Johnson County Park and Recreation District from 1973 to 1979. Bill died within the first 1.5 years of my work with him. I got to know Do almost immediately, and we forged a lasting friendship interrupted by our many individual moves across the country. We remained in touch until about 10 years ago, and then time commitments interfered. I spoke to Do around 3 years ago. She was always so energetic and positive--a real role model for living a fulfilling life. Everything she did was upbeat and filled with energy. I will never forget her and will always appreciate the positive influence she had on my life. My deepest condolences to Gary and Carol and Joy and other family members.

Do was the Preschool Director at Bethlehem Lutheran, Encinitas when I came to Bethlehem in 1995 as the music director.  We worked together creating great musical memories for the learning circles, Vacation Bible School and Children's Christmas programs. She also sang in the Good News Singers as an alto and had much fun with Joan Ades as they sang their parts in the pews. In addition, we became good friends and played golf together almost every two weeks on a course near her apartment. I always enjoyed the many parties that Do hosted with the " A" group and would often ask her advice on relationships with others. Her encouragement and positive attitude made all of us do our best.
When I think of Do, I will always remember the phrase that she spoke :
"Life is Good". Do, you were so good to so many of us!
Thank you for leading the way.

Uncanny and sad that I should seek and find a Jasinek link the very week Do passed away. My sympathy to all thé family and renewed never- forgotten friendship to you, Joy and Gary. Your
mother was a référence to me, across thé street in Chula Vista, later in Encinitas. I could talk to her about so many things and she would share her clear insight, with a bright innovative approach to going forward. A beautiful spirit connecting lives...With Love,

I met Do when my son attended Bethlehem Preschool. He is now 42. Do and I have been friends for almost forty years and will remain my friend in my heart. Thank you Do for being a mentor, role model and always fun and inspirational.
My fun story. years later, is Do explaining to my young adult sons how to make a "High Ball". She was deemed forever cool. 

I met Do when my son attended Bethlehem Preschool. He is now 42. Do and I have been good friends for almost forty years and she will remain a friend in my heart.
My fun story, years later, is Do explaining to my young adult sons how to make a "High Ball". She was deemed "forever cool".  RIP

Gramma Do, or "GG," was responsible for many rosey memories from my childhood. But the one that sticks out the most in my mind will always be the epic food fight she staged for the two of us in my parent's back yard. She cooked up a five course meal for us - I remember peas, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, among other things. I'm sure she spent an hour or two putting it together just so we could bring it all outside and spend a good ten or fifteen minutes hurling the stuff at each other. If you look through the pictures here, you can see proof of the mess we made.
Do definitely took pride in her kids and grandkids. She liked to make sure I always believed there was something special coming or something to look forward to. She liked to share the things that made her happy. She was and is a role model for me that inspires optimism, energy, and positivity.
When I was 19 I lived in a small detached bedroom in her backyard for a few months. I think I pushed the limits of her positivity during that experience, but she was a good sport about it nonetheless.
No matter how she may have felt inside towards the end, she would always put on a smiling face when I, Laura, or our daughter Abi would come down to visit her.
I'm grateful for the loving care she received from her Son and Daughter and both their spouses as she progressed through her final stages. She lived a robust life and got to affect many others along the way. I hope at the end of my life I can look back and get to experience the comfort and satisfaction she must have felt with her family close by and having accomplished as much as she did.

I have such fond and sweet memories of my incredible sister Do! A big sister who was always there for guidance, friendship and fun -- so many memories and so much fun! Everyone knows Do's laugh!!! Do had one of those big personalities and you couldn't help but be lifted up when you were around her. She always signed her notes and letters "Life is good!" She offered people new perspectives in living, loving and parenting through her books and seminars. She was truly a special soul. Now she is on to her next great adventure. Shine on Do! Love you forever.

Do was the best “older sister” any one could ever have!  She was my mentor.I followed her everywhere. She will be missed. She encouraged me and my family to move to California for along time but it was not right for us at the time. It turned out to be right for me when I was 73! It so happened I was here then when Do fell running, broke her shoulder and I was able to help her out! God works in mysterious ways!, We had many good visits when she retired to Washington state. Always kept in touch. She was an inspiration. Loved her. Always will. Lee

My mother’s big sister, Do, was a maker of happy memories. One summer our family was visiting her in Chula Vista on my birthday. I was turning ten, I think. Aunt Do took me into a bakery and announced, as if I were a princess, ‘Mindy, you may pick out any cake here for your birthday cake!” That was more than 50 years ago and to this day I can remember the euphoria that overtook me at that moment. I can see in my mind the swirl of cakes and colored frostings and smell the sugary delights surrounding me. I am once again a birthday princess searching for my one true love....there, in a glass corner display...orange chiffon, the most perfectly wonderful cake ever made! And it was mine.

Do was highly skilled in creating happy memories that taught us we were deeply known, uniquely important, celebrated and loved well.

Thank you, Aunt Do, from deep in my heart.

Do was a mentor and friend to me as the Director of Bethlehem Preschool. I succeeded her when she moved to Washington to be closer to her family. She was also a spiritual leader as a few of us gathered together to study spiritual philosophy.
One of my favorite memories was when myself and the teaching staff of Bethlehem Preschool sent her up in a hot air balloon for her 60th Birthday. We followed her around in a chase car as she floated over the back country of Del Mar! Not sure who had more fun!
Do was a bright light in this world and I’m sure she’s with her angels now. ❤️Barbara Nelson

Do Jasinek did two really great things for me in my life. 

First, Do shared her son Gary with me, who drug my sorry you know what up peaks and down valleys, on adventures only he could dream up. Gary was instrumental in both my professional and personal life development in many multiple ways. I am fortunate to have been able to call him my friend now for many years. 

The second thing Do did for me was to write the book "House of Hearts," published in 1988. The book had this piece of advice in it: "Children need you the most when they're at their worst." That saying always resonated with me, and although I can't say I lived up to its aspiration all the time, I have tried. Thank you, Do, for making me a better parent. Thirty years after you gave us the book, I still know where it is located in our home.

Do Jasinek was a much beloved "ambassador" at Pybus Public Market, a community gathering place in Wenatchee, Washington. The role of an "ambassador" is to greet visitors and help them by answering questions they might have. To no surprise, she did that admirably, displaying a gentleness and kindness that impressed anyone she was around, and demonstrated her genuine interest in every person.

Do Jasinek: a life well lived!

Feel free to post a remembrance here about your time with Do.
It can be about anything, but we wouldn't be surprised if it's funny!