Blooming in Winter: The Story of a Remarkable Twentieth-Century Woman

Pam Valois met Jacomena Maybeck in 1979, and their friendship led to a best-selling book Gifts of Age. Blooming in Winter is an intimate portrait of Jackie that shows us how to live exuberantly until the very end.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 29 June 2021
Publisher: She Writes Press

When Pam Valois, a young photographer, met Jacomena Maybeck in 1979, she saw the woman she wanted to be in her own later years. Tarring roofs and splitting logs into her eighties, Jackie presided over the legacy of Bernard Maybeck and his clan on Berkeleys legendary Nut Hill. The friendship between the two women led to a best-selling book— Gifts of Age, a treasury of stories about successful aging.

Blooming in Winter is an intimate portrait of Jackie that gives us a paradigm for living exuberantly until the very end.

Jackie was born in 1916 in Oakland, California, and grew up in a family of artists and musicians. She studied art at the California School of Arts and Crafts and later worked as a graphic designer and illustrator. In 1942, she met Bernard Maybeck, a renowned architect who was known for his organic and rustic style. The two married and moved to Berkeley, where they built their own home, the Maybeck House, which is now a historic landmark.

Jackie was a fiercely independent woman who loved to garden, hike, and travel. She was also a talented artist who painted and drew throughout her life. In her later years, she became known for her love of nature and her commitment to sustainable living. She planted a garden that was filled with native plants and herbs and was known for her beautiful and colorful paintings.

Jackie and Pam met in 1979 when Pam was working as a photographer for a local magazine. Pam was immediately drawn to Jackie's energy and charisma and the two quickly became friends. Jackie was fascinated by Pam's work and the two women began to collaborate on a book about successful aging. Gifts of Age was published in 1986 and became a best-seller, selling millions of copies worldwide.

The book was filled with stories about older women who had achieved great success in their lives and who had found ways to continue to thrive in their later years. Jackie was one of the featured women in the book and her story was inspiring and uplifting. In her interview with Pam, Jackie talked about her love of nature, her commitment to sustainable living, and her belief in the power of positive thinking.

Jackie's story continued to inspire people long after her death in 2002. Her home, the Maybeck House, became a popular tourist attraction and her paintings and drawings were exhibited in galleries and museums around the world. In 2011, a documentary film was made about Jackie, called Blooming in Winter, which was directed by Pam Valois and featured interviews with Jackie's family, friends, and colleagues.

Blooming in Winter is an intimate portrait of Jackie that gives us a paradigm for living exuberantly until the very end. The film follows Jackie as she gardens, paints, and travels, and shows us the joy and fulfillment that comes from living a life filled with purpose and meaning. The film also explores the challenges that come with aging, such as health problems and financial insecurity, and shows us how Jackie faced these challenges with courage and resilience.

In conclusion, Blooming in Winter is a beautiful and inspiring film that gives us a glimpse into the life of a remarkable woman who lived a life filled with purpose and meaning. Jackie's story is a testament to the power of positive thinking, the importance of living in the present moment, and the value of pursuing our passions and dreams. The film is a must-see for anyone who wants to learn more about the joys of aging and the importance of living a life that is filled with joy and purpose.

Weight: 404g
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781647421168