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Mrs Elizabeth Maize, 1922-2013

 

Beth passed away August 12, 2013 at her Bennett Valley home, surrounded by her family. She is survived by her daughter Marianne (Rich), '66 of Ashland, OR and sons Jim of Medford, OR, Dave of Takilma, OR and Dan (Michele) of Williamsburg, VA and by her six grandchildren (Amy Maukonen, Emily Jacobberger, Jimmy Maize, Erin Slusser, Sophie and Susanna Maize) and four great grandchildren (Connor, Lexi, and Kaia Maukonen and Kieran Jacobberger). 

 
Beth was born in Portland, OR on January 28, 1922 to Newell and Rupert Parks. She graduated from Grant High School in Portland and later attended the University of Oregon where she met her husband of 60 years, Jim Maize. 
 
After Jim's service in World War II, they moved to Jim's hometown of Willits, CA. In 1957, with three children in tow, they moved to Southern California where she and Jim cultivated many lifelong friendships and Jim and his brother operated a hardware manufacturing company. 
 
After selling the business, Jim and Beth bought the Hardt ranch in Bennett Valley in 1974 and built their retirement home there. 
 
Beth was involved with her college sorority Kappa Alpha Theta and with her beloved PEO sisters that brought her immense joy and sparked many long friendships. 
 
She was a talented knitter who continued with this love into her last weeks. Her passion for genealogy and travel inspired many trips for her and Jim in the US and abroad to explore family history and interesting sites. Beth loved nature: childhood summers spent at Cannon Beach on the Oregon coast, gatherings at the family cabin at Lake of the Woods, Oregon, or a view of the old barns and Bennett Peak from her home. Her generosity to the community both on a personal level with adult literacy tutoring and her and Jim's charitable contributions were outward examples of her amazing spirit. 
 
Donations may be made in her name to the "Gateway to College Program" for at risk students, Santa Rosa Junior College Foundation, 1501 Mendocino Ave, Santa Rosa, CA 95401, or to PEO Foundation, Chapter LZ, 3700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312. 
 
A private family gathering will be held at a later date. DANIELS CHAPEL OF THE ROSES FUNERAL AND CREMATION SERVICES 707-525-3730
Published by Press Democrat from Aug. 18 to Aug. 19, 2013
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Rodney Handsfield, MD. on March 7, 2022 at 11:24 AM said:

After my father died in August '68. Marianne and her family were so good to me. Marianne and I became quite close at FJC. When my family imploded, the Maize's and the Lowe's (Russ Lowe, '67) really stepped up. When I had no place to go, Mrs. Maize (Beth) would invite me to lunch or dinner. Mr. Maize (Jim) was pretty old school and did not like my hippie hair style, but he was always kind to me as were Dr. and Mrs. Lowe. Truly some of the finest people I've ever met. I learned so m much about being a giving person from both families. Marianne and I are still friends and communicate frequently.

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