Jean Elizabeth Stephenson

Jean Douglass Stephenson passed away suddenly on March 15, 2023, at her home in Liberty Lake, WA.  She was a deeply loved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend.  Jean was born August 12, 1934, in Anadarko, OK, to Ralph and Lillie Bernard Douglass.  She grew up in Flagstaff, AZ, and then attended Arizona State College, graduating with a degree in elementary education.  She taught for several years before staying home to raise her family, serving as a cub scout and girl scout leader and in the PTA.  Later, Jean worked as a budget analyst.  Jean married John Stephenson in 1958, and the two of them modeled lifelong love and the joy of togetherness, recently celebrating their 65th anniversary. 

Jean and John lived in Southern California, West Richland, WA, and Prescott, AZ, before moving to Liberty Lake in 2017 to be closer to family.  Jean described herself as having the “travel bug.”  She and John traveled to six continents and took yearly trips to Manzanita, OR, with the extended family.  On one of the Oregon trips, Jean had to fill out a family quiz, which asked how someone should design an action figure of her.  She said that it should have “an extra arm and leg to make dancing easier and long, red hair to flop around!”  Her quiet, dignified demeanor hid a spunky, fierce, and fun-loving character.  She was an enthusiastic bridge player and loved spending time with the other players.  Jean delighted in her family and had recently enjoyed being “GGM” to her two young great-grandchildren. 

Jean is survived by her husband John at the family home, son Mike (Linda) Stephenson of Kennewick, WA, daughter Jenny (Chris) Baylon of Albion, WA, and grandchildren Hannah Baylon, Stacie (Matt Reid) Baylon, Joe (Rebecca) Baylon, and Packard Stephenson, and two great-grandchildren.  A private family service is planned for this summer.  Memorials are suggested to the Spokane Valley Senior Center.

Please share your memories of Jean on her Tribute Wall.