Jean Alex 1931-2023

Jean Libby Alex, 91, passed away on May 28th, 2023 at the Maine Veterans Home, Bangor, ME.

Born in Waterville, ME on November 19, 1931, Jean was the daughter of Philip Judson

Libby and Frances Webster Libby. She grew up in Unity, ME and graduated from Waterville High School, Class of 1949 and received her BA in education in 1953 at the University of Maine in Orono. While at the University of Maine, Jean, a cheerleader, caught the eye of a football player, Joseph Carl Alex and they married on June 17, 1951 at her home on Libby hill. After graduation, Jean moved with Joe, an officer in the US Navy (Korean War veteran), to Virginia and Califfornia before settling down at her family farm on Libby Hill. This farm was one of the great loves of her life. It is where they raised their family; three sons, Joseph, Stuart, Daniel, and their daughter, Meredith. Jean taught first and second grade at Mount View Elementary School for over 30 years alongside Joe, a physical education teacher and coach. After retiring, Joe and Jean traveled around the United States in their RV, visiting friends and family, national parks, and ultimately spending winters in Florida, Arizona, Texas, and California. After several years of moving around, they left the farm and moved into a year-round cabin on Little Lake St. George in Liberty, ME.

Jean lived her life to the fullest. First and foremost in life was her husband, Joe. The two of them never ceased to comment on how lucky they were to have each other, there was no doubt that they were the love of each other's lives. They always had a twinkle in their eyes when they looked at each other. In 2021 they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary and 90th birthdays together. Jean filled many roles in her life; wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, great-grandmother, teacher, and friend. Her energy and passion for life permeated everything she did. She loved working outdoors (gardening, cutting/clopping brush and gathering firewood), camping, cooking and baking, sewing, playing games, reciting poetry, and reading. Jean also had a special talent for dramatic storytelling (just ask her grandchildren and great-grandchildren!) and reciting poetry and nursery rhymes.

Jean loved and was loved by many. In the weeks leading up to her passing, Jean was visited by many family members and her dear friends Peggy Nickless-Hodgkins, Bea Turner, Victoria Clare, Elise Brown, and Tracy Sanders-Dunne. She lit up with every visitor and never failed to comment on how blessed she was in her life. She will be missed, but will live on in the memories of those whose lives she touched.

Jean is survived by her sons, Joseph L Alex and his wife, Joanne, of Old Town ME, Stuart Alex and his wife, Savi of North Truro, MA, Daniel Alex and his wife, Shelly, of Belfast, ME, and Meredith Alex and her partner, Juan Sanchez, of Silver Spring, MD, 10 grandchildren: Jessica Keenan, Kathryn Alex, Joel Alex, Max Alex, Julianna Alex, Cassidy Alex, Aleka Greeley, Blake Alex, Rio Greeley, and Gabe Alex, 3 great-grandchildren: Annalise Keenan, Jasper Keenan and Maven Ellis-Alex, as well as many dear friends. Jean is predeceased by her husband, Joseph Carl Alex, brother, Philip Libby and sister, Patrica Libby.

Friends and family are invited to leave comments and memories on her tribute. A memorial service and celebration of Jean’s life is planned for this fall.