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Remembering Jeanne Bice

by on ‎06-24-2011 03:52 PM

This Sunday, I’m honored to host a two-hour Quacker Factory show honoring Jeanne Bice. She sure was special. Of course, we're all special in our own way, but there was something a little “extra” about Jeanne. While we have a lot of famous people walk through the QVC halls, I can’t think of anyone who left an impression like Jeanne.

 

Long before I ever considered working for QVC, I knew about the “Quacker Factory Lady.” Her laugh and love of sequins and sparkles stood out as I flipped through the channels. Five years ago, when I got the good news that I had gotten my job as host, my boyfriend (now husband) said, “Hey, maybe you’ll get to work with that woman who wears the headbands.” What was it about Jeanne that made even a single man in his 30s stop and watch her? While he wasn’t buying her clothing, he noticed her. Of course, we are just two of countless people who enjoyed her because she spoke her mind, loved to laugh, and you never knew what she was going to say next.

 

It didn’t take long after becoming a QVC employee that I got to meet Jeanne. She was sitting near our studio operations desk and before I could even introduce myself, she said, “You’re that new host! Come over and talk to me.” I quickly learned that the Jeanne I loved on television was even sweeter, funnier, and more outspoken in person. It was an instant friendship. Jeanne was a woman who truly cared about others. She talked to everyone like they were the most important person in her world…and for those moments of conversation, they really were. She always asked about my children, my husband, how I was coping with my schedule, and countless other things. Even more important, she really listened to the answers. She was like that with everyone in this building and that’s why we all loved her. After every show I had with her, she would call and leave the nicest voice mails. One time she said, “You really know how to handle me.” That made me laugh. Handle her?!? I was just trying to keep up!

 

Jeanne was so many things: a smart businesswoman, a quick wit, an inspiration for entrepreneurs, and a designer with a unique voice. But I’ll remember her most as that woman who always cared enough to ask questions.

 

We’ll have four shows paying tribute to Jeanne this week: 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. ET on Friday, June 24, and 3 a.m. and 4 p.m. ET on Sunday, June, 26. I’ll be hosting the show airing 4 p.m. Sunday. I hope you can join us. In the meantime, we would love to hear your stories about Jeanne. You can comment here, on my QVC Facebook page, or on our community forum pages. She will truly be missed.

 

—Sandra Bennett