Cover photo for Jan Maynard's Obituary
Jan Maynard Profile Photo
1939 Jan 2020

Jan Maynard

June 25, 1939 — August 6, 2020

Westminster

Jan Lee Maynard passed away August 6, 2020 in Westminster, Colorado.  She was born in Colon, Panama, on June 25, 1939, the first child of Army Lieutenant Alvin and Gussie Lee Luedecke.  She is survived by her sister, Miriam Luedecke of Highlands Ranch, Colorado; her brother, Alvin Luedecke Jr., of Georgetown, Texas and family; granddaughter Patricia Young-Sellars and husband; and great grandchildren Andrew Young; and Santiago, Cassie, and Cadence Ramirez.  She was preceded in death by her parents and her children, Pamela and Mark.

She graduated in 1957 from Falls Church High School and engaged to the man she would spend the rest of her life with-Mike Maynard.  She attended CSU for one semester, but found the separation from Mike difficult, so she transferred to George Washington University’s Home Economics Department.  In 1959 Mike graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, he and Jan married, and hand-in-hand, they faced the many moves and long separations, of Navy life.  Living in exotic places presented opportunities to meet and mingle with people of great interest and great need.  Their two year tour in Japan made an especially strong influence in their lives to this very day.  Most of their tours were in California, with ones in Pensacola and Washington State.  During that time, she was able to volunteer 1500 hours reaching out to our sailors of all ranks who needed financial help through the Navy-Marine Corp Relief Society, which lends millions every year to our under-paid military.  She learned a great deal about poverty from this experience.  After Mike’s retirement, their travels in England, Europe, Africa, and the Middle-East, including a three year period under Islam in Saudi Arabia taught many lessons, most significant being presence of our loving God in our lives, and the most importance of simple kindness to others.

In her sixties Jan received the amazing gift of creativity.  Through the mentoring of friends in the garden clubs, she slowly mastered floral design, and began to be recognized as one who could teach others well.  She enjoyed teaching and mentoring others, as well as creating flower shows.  She became a Master Flower Show Judge.  Her creativity expanded in other directions, giving her and those around her joy.  Garden club gave her the opportunity to gain leadership skills which she used in serving as scholarship and Blue Star Memorial chairmen, and serving on the Board of Trustees.  She received several National awards.

Jan regards this gift of creativity a gift from God, and has tried to pay it back when she had an opportunity.  This gift, and the life experiences of 81 years she has gained through her travels have confirmed her point of view- the light that guides her life.  She hopes her great-grandchildren will live with courage and grace, with kindness to others, and appreciation of God’s love in their lives.

A Graveside Service will be held at 11:30AM at Fort Logan National Cemetery (4400 W Kenyon Ave, Denver, CO 80236) Staging Area "B".

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Jan’s honor are suggested to: Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, 875 North Randolph St. Suite 225 Arlington, VA 22203

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jan Maynard, please visit our flower store.

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