Three Minutes with Jeanine Dilley

Published 1:34 pm Tuesday, June 1, 2021

Artisan at Bella Grace Boutique

When and why did you move to Hermiston?

I live in Boardman. I’m a Morrow County girl, originally from Heppner, and in 2012 my husband and I moved to the north end of the county to be closer to the freeway and other things for convenience.

Where is your favorite place to eat in Hermiston?

Hale’s. I like Nookie’s a lot too. It might be a toss-up between the two.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

We have a little bit of property, so we raise a few head of cattle and work the land. I like to wood work and I do a lot of home canning, both of which I sell here (at Bella Grace Boutique in Hermiston).

What surprises you about Hermiston?

That it has not expanded its retail footprint more, as much as it has been growing. It’s adding houses, it’s adding jobs, but the retail hasn’t kept up.

What was the last book you read?

I’m a spy novel fan, so I just finished “Oath of Office” by Tom Clancy.

What website or app do you use most other than Facebook?

Probably Square, for the business. I have some woodworking websites I use as well.

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

My husband and I travel a lot, and we’re talking Fiji next.

What is the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you?

I remember one year for my birthday, I was looking really slouchy, funky jeans, no makeup, hair not done, and my husband had done a surprise party for me. For the rest of my life, I always get gussied up on my birthday now.

What is one of your goals for the next 12 months?

Letting go. I am a control freak, I know I am, and I’m trying to embrace retirement, and trying to learn how to relax.

What is your proudest accomplishment?

My kids, my marriage. We’ve been married 40 years in November and still actually like each other. I have two kids I’m very proud of. Also my military service.

Editor’s note: A previous version of this story misstated Jeanine Dilley’s title at Bella Grace Boutique. The Hermiston Herald apologizes for the error.