She born in Middle River, Nova Scotia, Canada, on Aug. 30, 1919, a daughter of Roderick and Dolena MacLoennan Nicholson.
A longtime Bath resident, Jean moved to Bath in 1941 to attend the Bath Memorial Hospital Nursing School. Upon graduation, she married Harry Thayer on Nov. 10, 1944, and made their home in Bath. They were married for 45 years before his passing. She resided with her son and daughter-in-law, Dennis and Diane Thayer, for five years.
Jean was truly born to be a nurse, she often said, “She never had a bad day nursing.” She began her career at Hyde School for Crippled Children in Bath. The Hyde Home was a special 60-bed hospital for the treatment of children with polio, where she became the position of Director of Nursing. The Hyde Home is now known as the Hyde School. From Hyde, she worked at Bath Memorial Hospital another 20-plus years. Finally, ending her working career by working as a charge nurse at Hill House in Bath. This dedicated nurse held her license for 60 years.
Jean was a member of the Bath United Church of Christ in Bath. She was a talented knitter and an avid bingo player.
She was a devoted mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother. Jean annually traveled to
Canada to visit her family. Jean is predeceased by her husband Harry E. Thayer, who died on Aug.
12, 1989.
Surviving are her son, Dennis Thayer and his wife Diane of Kennebunkport; a sister, Mora Nicholson of Big Baddeck, Nova Scotia; a granddaughter, Stephanie Redmond and her husband John of Kennebunkport; a grandson, Michael Thayer and his wife Carrie Anne of North Attleboro, MA; three great-grandchildren, Olivia Thayer, Jaxson Redmond and Adelena Redmond; and many nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be 9 to 11 a.m. on Friday at David E. Desmond & Son Funeral Home, 638 High St., Bath, where funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. with Rev. Bill Bliss officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery in Bath. Memorial contributions may be made in Jean’s memory to the American Heart Association, 51 U.S. Route 1m Suite M, Scarborough, ME 04740. To express thoughts and condolences to the family, please visit www.desmondfuneralhomes.com.
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