Jean Bisschoff

Jean M Bisschoff   Jean Charlotte Maloit was born September 10th, 1922, in the mining town of Gilman, Colorado. She was the middle child of Frank and Pearl Maloit. Jean died January 7, 2019, at Good Samaritan Health Center, Yakima. Jean suffered a stroke in 2017, followed by a fracture, and subsequent decline. Jean grew up in the Rockies and left for Colorado State College at the age of 16. She graduated with a degree in plant pathology.  After college, Jean went to work at a USDA seed farm in Cheyenne, WY. While there, she was recruited to work for California Packing Corp (now Del Monte) in Mountain View, CA. She worked on developing disease-resistant plants. While in CA, Jean met a young Dutchman, Paul W. F. Bisschoff, who had immigrated to the US following WWII. They were married in Gilman in 1947 and were together for 58+ years. Paul also worked for Del Monte and was transferred to Toppenish, WA, to do plant research. They lived there for 11 years and had two children before Paul was transferred to Italy. The family lived in Verona for 2+ years before returning to Yakima. Jean went back to college to earn her second degree in elementary education from CWSC. She spent the next 15 years teaching 5th grade at Robertson Elementary School in Yakima before retiring to travel the world with Paul. Jean loved teaching and was proud of making teaching fun. Some of her favorite projects were NASA space tomatoes, blue bird boxes, archeological “digs”, and a ditch bank restoration. Jean was a life-long volunteer. She volunteered in the classroom after retirement, was a Master Gardener, led youth groups, and volunteered at the Yakima Greenway well into her 90’s. She loved her morning coffee, wildflowers, bird watching, dogs, and conversing with friends. Jean was an avid walker and reader. However, she was most at home in her beloved flower garden that she single-handedly planted. It was gloriously in bloom from Spring to Fall. Jean was predeceased by her parents, husband, brother Robert Maloit, and sister Frances Nelson. She is survived by her son Robert Bisschoff (Sandra) of Zillah, daughter Frances Crounse (William) of Bellevue, two granddaughters and three great grandchildren. Thanks to the good neighbors from Glacier Way who helped her live independently until her stroke. Thanks also to the caregivers at Blossom Place and Good Samaritan who lovingly cared for her in her last months. Jean will be greatly missed by the many people who loved her. There will be no service at her request. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jean Bisschoff, please visit our flower store.