Betty "Jean" Jean Maynard

Betty Jean Maynard, known to many as Jean, passed away on February 15, 2026, in Palmer, Alaska.  She was 86 years old at the time of her passing.  Jean was born to Clifford and Betty Stephens on January 10, 1940  in Portland, Oregon.  When Jean was 8 years old… she and her sister were brought to Alaska by her mother, with her grandmother moving to Alaska shortly after. The family resided in Anchorage.  Jean graduated from Anchorage High School (now known as West High School) in 1958.  Shortly after that, Jean met Milner Les Maynard through mutual friends.  They got married and in 1961 they and their two children at the time moved from Anchorage to Palmer for work, ending up eventually purchasing property on Finger Lake where they raised their four children.  Les and Jean built a full life together until Les passed away in 1992.

Jean worked as a medical assistant for over 30 years for a local doctor in Palmer and was an active EMT with the local emergency services.  She loved to garden having a large vegetable garden and many flowers in the yard.  Jean loved to quilt, enjoying the creativity with friends on a regular basis.  In her later years after retiring, Jean loved to sit at her large windows looking out over the lake watching the activities on the lake.  One of her favorite things was to count the number of ice fishermen out on the lake each day.  Jean continued to live on Finger Lake for over 50 years, until due to medical issues she moved into her eldest daughter and son-in-law’s home where she passed away. 

Jean is survived by her four children, numerous grandchildren, several great grandchildren, even a few great, great grandchildren. She also has surviving nieces and nephews a plenty. She will be truly missed in all our lives, and we find peace in knowing she is still watching over her family and her beloved lake.

As per Jean’s wishes, there will be a small private ceremony to spread her ashes this coming summer.