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Jean A. Boyd

Date of Death: September 9, 2024

Date of Birth: May 3, 1933

Biography:

Jean A. Boyd of Buckfield, Maine passed away peacefully at Andwell Hospice House in Auburn, ME on September 9, 2024, at 91. She was surrounded by family and lots of love. A memorial service will be held October 19, 2024, at 11:00 at Buckfield Community Church, 76 Turner St, Buckfield, Maine. Flowers may be sent to Funeral Alternative, 25 Tampa St, Lewiston, ME  04240

Jean was born on May 3, 1933, in Braintree, Massachusetts, and was the daughter of Harold and Louise Hiltz. She lost her parents when she was a child, her father in World War II while serving in the Merchant Marines, and her Mother during surgery.  She and her brother Marvin were then raised by their exceedingly kind Grandparents Harold F. Hiltz and Leah Hiltz.When Jean was 15 she met the love of her life, Thomas H Boyd, Sr, and they married on May 20, 1952. They had 3 children; Leah J. Boyd, Thomas H. Boyd, Jr., and Christopher H. Boyd.

Tom and Jean met Harry and Elaine Mitchell while Tom and Harry were attending Boston University and the four young people dreamed of buying a farm in Maine. They bought their dream house in Buckfield, Maine, a very old “fixer upper” farmhouse around 1956. The Boyds and Mitchells raised their families together and formed an unbreakable bond.

Jean was known for her kindness, playful spirit, artistic talent, and dedication to the well-being of children.  She made caring for her children her primary occupation until they were all in school, at which time she began a career as school librarian from 1965 until 1982 when her youngest graduated from high school. Then, at age 46 she made the bold decision to go to college to become a teacher. She earned her degree with honors from the University of Maine at Farmington in 1980, and after a year of teaching middle school in Jay, she settled into a third-grade teaching position at Hartford-Sumner Elementary School in Sumner Maine. She spent the next fourteen years making school fun and meaningful for her students, helping them to know their worth and recognizing their innate goodness and potential.  She was especially known for “Fun Fridays” where she filled the day with teaching activities that included learning games and activities that furthered her students’ education while also expanding their social skills and just plain having a good time.

Upon retiring at 65, Jean became a member of the Maine Retired Teachers Association where she was very active, becoming the vice president and ultimately the president.  She was also a member of the Literary Club in Buckfield. She enjoyed spending a lot of time with her children, her grandson Jarek Boyd, her extended family of step-grandchildren and beloved in-laws, and her large network of dear friends.

As an artist, Jean drew and painted, made pottery, and most remarkably was able to carve birds out of wood that looked as if they might get up and fly away. She had an eye for beauty and the ability to create it.  She deeply loved nature, always wanting to walk or x-country ski, no matter the weather. She was particularly smitten by lady slippers, brown-eyed Susans, and birds of all kinds.

Jean is survived by her children Leah, Tom, and Chris Boyd, her Grandson Jarek Boyd, her nieces Evelyn Annis, Rose Ryan, and Nancy Mahoney, and her nephew Craig Hiltz.  In addition, by her many beloved in-laws and step-grandchildren. Jean is also survived by her closest and dearest friend of over 70 years, Elaine Mitchell, who she referred to as her sister.  A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 19 at 11 a.m. at the Buckfield Community Church, North Buckfield Road in Buckfield.  Donations may be made in her memory to St. Jude Children's Hospital.