Jean Payne was truly one of the nicest people I’ve ever known. She was a wonderful wife, mother and friend. We spent many hours together at dinners and more than a few outings down at the Kenai River and around Alaska enjoying her wit and company. She was a very bright lady and a lot of fun to be around. I’ll never forget the time several of us stopped at Summit Lake Lodge for brunch and Jean ordered the short stack of pancakes. Expecting normal size pancakes; but when they came the two cakes were at least 12 inches in diameter. Her eyes seemed to get as big as the pancakes. We all had a great laugh with that one. We miss her already. Rest is peace Jean, you earned it.

I worked with Jean when we were at U.S. Geological Survey, Conservation Division, before it was changed to Minerals Management Service.  Jean was fun to be around, even though we were working. She was a friend and offered advice, some of which I followed.

RIP