Jean L. Buell

Jean L. Buell, 95, of Clarion, passed away Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at Clarion Wellness and Rehabilitation Center in Clarion.

Private family services for Jean will be held at a later date.

Jean Lois Anderson was born January 31, 1929, to Raymond and Ruby (Tupper) Anderson in Detroit, Michigan.  As a toddler, she moved with her family to Long Beach, California, where she was raised and educated.

Following high school graduation, Lois raised her two children, Michael Patrick and Melanie Susan McGarrity, and once her children were in their teens, she began her working career at the local hospital.

When Medicare and Medicaid were rolled out, Jean became the local expert and go-to person on these programs in the hospital.  She dedicated herself to learning everything she could, and she also had a heart for public relations on behalf of the hospital.  These two traits propelled her in her career, which lasted more than 20 years.

Following her retirement, Jean fell in love with painting pictures in a folk-art style, and flower gardening.  She participated in a number of garden tours.  She also had an eye for decorating homes and a great sense of fashion.  She rescued several dogs and was especially fond of Beagles. She loved driving fast cars and owned a Corvette and a Datsun 280Z in her earlier years.

Jean moved to Clarion 5 years ago to be closer to Melanie, having lived with she and Larry until moving into the Meadows Assisted Living 6 months ago.  

Jean was a member of the Evangelical Free Church in Fallbrook, California, and faith was a cornerstone of her life, having accepted Jesus Christ as her personal savior at the age of 68.

Jean lived a life of constant self-improvement through training and education, which she took very seriously.  She flourished in each stage of her life.

Jean is survived by her daughter, Melanie (Larry) Maasdam of Clarion; grandchildren Emma (Eric) Van Wyn Garden of Knoxville, Iowa and Ryan (Jenny) Maasdam of Clarion; great-grandchildren Kylie Maasdam, Kayla Holton, Dustin Holton, Brooclynn Holton, Alex Holton and Timothy Holton; and daugher-in-law Carolyn McGarrity.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Bruce Buell, and her son, Michael McGarrity.

www.ewingfh.com

Ewing Funeral Home

1801 Central Avenue East

Clarion, Iowa, 50525

515-532-2233