Mary Jean Price Troxel

Mary Jean´s marriage to Max ended in divorce in 1981, and she started her own business in Boise, a children´s clothing store called The Red Balloon. In 1990 she announced her so-called Òretirement,Ó which, while it involved closing The Red Balloon to the dismay of gift-hunting grandmothers throughout Treasure Valley, it also meant opening a seasonal antiques and collectibles shop in Donnelly called Whatever, traveling, and devoting herself full-time to volunteering on behalf of many fine organizations. She was a resourceful gal on the road, whether browsing flea markets and yard sales along Highway 55 with her little dog Bailey and her big dog Meghan or using her poco Italiano and un peu francais to bridge the language barrier on recent trips with daughter Kris to Barcelona, Madrid, Prague, Vienna, Singapore, and Hong Kong. But there was no place like home, meeting with her lunch groups, the DGTPs (yes, those DGTPs), the Go-Gos, the Tuesday Talkers, and the Native Daughters. A representative sample of the good causes Mary Jean served over the years includes Gold Star Wives of America, POW-MIA, the Democratic Party, Assistance League of Boise, Elks Hospital Auxiliary, Red Cross, Girl Scout Council, Heart Fund, United Way, and the March of Dimes. Her service and her sacrifice are emblems of what makes our nation strong. Mary Jean´s only two regrets in life were that she never got to dance as one of the Rockettes to further impress her granddaughter and that this great ride had to end so soon. Her brothers, her sister, and both of her children were able to be with her in her final hour. She is preceded in death by her parents, John and Naomi Price, and by her husband, Major Edwin N. Troxel, USAF. She is survived by her brothers Dr. Donald D. Price (Rosie) of Caldwell and John P. Price (Sarah Phillips) of Seattle; her sister Naomi Ann Anawalt (Doug) of Middleton; her daughter Kristen Kay Troxel of Nampa; her son Mark Edwin Alleman Troxel (Jennifer Gold) of Seattle; and her best beloved granddaughter Sylvie Alleman Troxel of Seattle. A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at 1 p.m., Nov. 10, 2006, in the Cathedral of the Rockies, 717 N. 11th St. in Boise. Commemorative donations may be made in Mary Jean´s name to the Canyon County Historical Society & Museum in Nampa or to the Idaho Humane Society. Arrangements are under the direction of Relyea Funeral Chapel.