Jean Elliot Thayer, 89, passed away peacefully on April 11, 2018 in Ft. Myers, Florida following a brief illness. She was born to Edward J. and Elma Elliot on Aug. 15, 1928 in Thomaston, Maine where she attended high school and was captain of the girls’ basketball team. Following graduation she attended Nasson College in Springvale, Maine, majoring in nutrition. While there she met Wendell Bragg Thayer of Sanford, who in short order gave her life-long love of snow skiing. Jean and Wendell were married in 1948 in Thomaston, in a double ceremony with her sister Joan and John E. Garnsey.

They settled in Sanford, and while raising their four children, Jean enjoyed working during autumns with her friends at Brother Anthony’s apple orchards in Alfred, Maine; at the family clothing store, Thayer-Diggery Company; and she was a favorite substitute teacher in the Sanford school system.

Each and every summer was spent at her beloved family cottage at Bird Point in Cushing, Maine, among close friends and family; and winters at Sugarloaf USA, to where she and Wendell eventually relocated, in Carrabasset Valley. After operating the Thayer-Diggery clothing shop in the Valley Crossing, Jean worked at the Sugarloaf Ski Shop for nearly 30 years, and was Sugarloaf Corporation Employee of the Year three times.

Following her retirement from Sugarloaf and 50-plus years of “just elegant” ski days, Jean moved to Wiscasset, Maine; and then to Ft. Myers where she lived with her daughter Wendy.

Wendell passed away in 1986. Jean is survived by her children, Elliot and wife Rhonda, Belgrade, Maine; Suzi of Edgecomb, Maine; Wendy and Larry Porter, Ft. Myers, FL; and Peter and wife Kerry Lyons, Boothbay, Maine; sisters Joan Garnsey, Wolfeboro, New Hampshire; Ida Clarke, Cushing ME; and Laurie Chisholm, Massachusetts; and grandchildren Ethan and Sam Thayer; Seth, Jonathan and Tyler Wadas; and Wendell and Sophia Thayer; great-grandchildren Finn and Charlotte Wadas and Ruby Thayer; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

There will be a private service in August at Norton Cemetery in Cushing, followed by a gathering at the family cottage.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jean’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, D.C. 20090-6001; 1-800-272-3900.