Jean Stone Challain

Jean (Velva Jean Stone) Challain passed away on Feb. 26th, 2016. She was born on Feb. 27th, 1926 in Auburn, Washington to Gladys (Willis) and Claude Stone (both deceased). Her brother Leonard was born in 1929 (deceased). In the early thirties the family moved to Olympia, Wa. Jean attended Washington and Lincoln Grade Schools and graduated from Olympia High School in 1944.

She then attended the University of Colorado. Jean and Len Challain were married November 19th, 1945 in Coronado, California where Len was stationed with the Navy. For thirty two years she was a Navy Officer's wife, living in many parts of the United States and Guam. After her husband's retirement, they settled for a number of years in Irvine and then Escondido, California. In 1994, they moved in their home at McCormick Woods Golf Course in Port Orchard, Washington. In 2005 they moved to their present home in Lacey.

Jean was Publicity Chairman and Treasurer of the Ladies Golf at Vista Valley Country Club, Vista, California; President of the Submarine Wives Club of Key West, Florida, a member of the Navy Supply Corps Officers Wives Club, and Navy League of Bremerton. She held offices in the Navy Wives League (OWLS) of Southern California and the Orange County Philharmonic Society (Alta Bahia Chapter). She was a member of the McCormick Woods Ladies Golf Club and served as Vice Captain.

Jean is survived by her husband and children: Eric (Irma) Fort Worth, Texas; Linda (Skip) Stefansen, Fair Oaks Ranch, Fair Oaks, Texas; Larry (Cherie) Olympia, Wa.; Karen (Jeff) DeBerard, Gig Harbor, Wa.; Janet (Charles) Braun Tulalip; Steven (Beth), Mission Viejo, Ca., and Corine Challain, Olympia, Wa.

Jean's interests were her family, gardening, sewing, porcelain, painting, genealogy, golf and travel.