Large Wedin family reunion big hit for the ages

Saturday in the park was music to the ears of La Conner’s Jean Wedin.

And the resulting harmony wasn’t solely defined by that classic Chicago Golden Oldie of the early ‘70s.

Far from it.

Wedin’s personal hit parade, a serenade of positive notes highlighted by a medley of fond reminiscences, lined up on cue with nearly 50 family members gathering Saturday afternoon for a reunion at the new Conner Waterfront Park below Rainbow Bridge.

They came from near and far, young and not-so-young alike.

“There are four generations here, isn’t that something,” said Jean, the endearing Wedin matriarch and hostess for the weekend, which included a special dinner for family and friends Saturday night.

Equally impressive, Jean said – given the size of the turnout here – is that her husband, the late John Wedin, Jr., was an only child.

He was the founder and editor of The Fisherman’s News, chaired the Pacific Marine Fisheries Commission, was a confidante of iconic U.S. Sen. Warren G. Magnuson, and proved instrumental in the development of the 200-mile exclusive economic zone off America’s shores.

His name is inscribed on the famed Seafarer’s Memorial in Homer, Alaska, the so-called “cosmic hamlet by the sea.”

Like Homer, La Conner is a popular venue with the Wedins.

“It’s my favorite town,” said Jean’s step-son, John Wedin, III, a scriptwriter from Anchorage. “I remember talking them (Jean and John, Jr.) into first coming here.”

Others have since followed.

Children who hadn’t yet been born when the family met here a decade ago took turns gleefully trying out the park’s popular fish slide with Brodie the newshound. They later enjoyed taking whacks at a piñata hanging from a nearby tree.

“There are at least 10 more here than we had in 2008,” said John, who shared photography duties at the reunion with Jean’s longtime friend, La Conner Weekly News contributor Don Coyote.

John also shared nuggets from Jean’s remarkable life, gems she doesn’t often share with others.

“You know,” he said, “she was a BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) film star, a model, and has traveled the world. She’s had her picture taken with royalty. But she doesn’t talk a lot about that. She’s always been very humble.”

True to form, on Saturday Jean preferred to focus on how happy she was that granddaughter Rebecca – John’s daughter – arrived in time for group photos. She traveled from the U.S. Virgin Islands, despite harsh weather that had cancelled many connecting flights on the East Coast.

“We were afraid,” John confirmed, “that she wouldn’t make it here on time.”

Turns out, he couldn’t have written a better script – whether personally or professionally. Rebecca’s presence made the family’s La Conner reunion all the more special. Especially since they were returning to Jean’s home.

“She’s our princess,” said John. “We love her to death.”