WEST PARIS — Jane Bean Young, 85, of Bethel passed away peacefully with her family by her side after a long illness on Thursday, May 11.

She was born in Newry in 1931, the youngest child of Robert M. and Bertha Weeks Bean. She was educated in the schools of Newry and Bethel and graduated from Gould Academy in 1950.

She married Archie L. Young Jr. in August 1951; he died in May 2001. They lived in Hartford, Conn., for three years while Archie continued his education. She worked at Hamilton Standard Propeller as a typist in East Hartford. She and Archie moved back to Maine in November 1954.

After her children started in school, she worked for the U.S. Postal Service in Bethel, Andover and Bryant Pond, retiring after 25 years of service in March 1992. She was a member and former Sunday school teacher of the Bethel United Methodist Church. She served her church in many ways over the years; she was on the board of trustees, the Supper and Finance committees, served as treasurer and chairman of the administrative board, lay leader, and head of the Memorial Committee. Jane was a member of the Sunset Rebekah Lodge No. 64 until it dissolved. She was a lifetime member of the Bethel Historical Society.

She served several years on the Bethel Planning Board and as a ballot clerk. She served on the Bethel Budget Committee, and was chairman for part of that service. When Telstar Regional High School was being built, she served on a committee of 100 people from the various towns in the district that helped get information out to citizens on the progress being made at the school.

In her retiring years, she joined the Big Brothers-Big Sisters program, which she enjoyed very much. She and her little sister spent many hours crafting, cooking and enjoying each other’s company. She loved knitting, crossword puzzles, playing the piano or organ, and just being with her family. She will be remembered for making her traditional war cakes for Christmas gifts for her friends and neighbors.

Fiercely independent with a love of travel, she often went on adventures by herself. Soon after she retired in 1992, she traveled to Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii for six weeks. She met and made friends with several people during this trip that she remained close to over the years. They then planned and traveled together to Scotland, the Canadian Rockies and the southern states of America. However, her favorite travel companion was her granddaughter, Laurie. They traveled to Alaska where they did a little whitewater rafting and to Eastern Europe to cruise down the Rhine on a river boat. Jane enjoyed taking road trips to New Brunswick, Canada, well into her late 70s to visit relatives every summer or fall.

She is survived by her daughter, Kathryn and husband, John Marzilli, of Naples; her son, Victor (Rick) Young and his wife, Melissa, of Bryant Pond; and a beloved granddaughter, Laurie N. Young of Anaconda, Mont., and her fiancé, Michael Craddock; along with numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and cousins.

She was predeceased by her parents; a brother, Robert F. Bean; and sisters, Frances Gunther, Mary Tripp, Winifred Scott, Ina Carey, Ernestine McDonald, and Pauline Chapin.

Words of condolence and tribute may be shared with her family at www.chandlerfunerals.com.

Jane Young

Jane Young

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