Jean Larsen

Jean M. Larsen

February 23, 1931 – September 17, 2025

Lorna Jean Maycock Larsen, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, professor, friend, and faithful disciple of Jesus Christ, passed away peacefully in her home on September 17, 2025, at the age of 94.

Jean was born on February 23, 1931, in Provo, Utah, to Lawrence S. and Lorna Maycock. Her early years were spent on the family farm in Orem, Utah. From a young age, she cultivated a love of learning and a deep compassion for others, qualities that would shape her life's work. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in elementary education in 1953. Her first teaching assignment was in Portland, Oregon, from 1953 to 1954, after which she taught in Provo, Utah, and started working on a graduate degree. In 1955, she was called to serve for two years as one of the first sister missionaries in the Argentine Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Upon returning from her mission, in 1958 Jean married A. Dean Larsen, whom she had begun dating some 10 years earlier while attending Lincoln High School in Orem, Utah. Jean and Dean were privileged to be the parents of four children. Together they enjoyed travel, entertaining guests, serving, and building relationships with family and friends throughout the world.

As a new mother, Jean finished work on her thesis and received her master's degree in child development from BYU in 1960. Shortly after her fourth child was born, and while teaching full time at BYU, she completed work on her Doctorate of Educational Psychology at the University of Utah in 1972 and became a professor of Family Science at BYU. In 1980, she was appointed coordinator of the Early Childhood Education program, a position through which she trained generations of early childhood educators and strengthened countless families.

A tireless advocate for play-based, experiential learning, Jean believed that every child is a divine creation with unlimited potential. She dedicated her career to ensuring that early childhood education nurtured the whole child, intellectually, emotionally, physically, socially and spiritually. Her work influenced programs throughout Utah and across the nation, and she was a trusted mentor to innumerable students and colleagues. In particular, she served for almost a decade writing early childhood curriculum for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Family Home Evening manuals and Relief Society manuals. In 1998, she received the Emma McVickers Award from the Utah Office of Child Care, honoring her decades of service to children and families.

Jean retired from BYU in 2002, after 42 years of service. For more than 70 years, she was an avid fan of BYU sports, attending almost every football and basketball home game. She provided scholarship funding for many female student athletes. BYU honored her for her fandom by asking her to "light the Y" at a BYU football game in 2018.

Jean was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving faithfully as a temple worker and in many callings throughout her life. Her testimony of the Savior guided her work and relationships, and she exemplified Christlike love in all she did.

Above all, Jean cherished her family. She found her greatest joy in her roles as wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Many hours were spent with her grandchildren around the family room table, playing cards and getting to know their friends and fellow students. She leaves behind a legacy of love, learning, and service that will continue to bless future generations.

Jean is survived by her children David (Kristen), Paul (Shelley), Ann Bigelow (Christopher), Charlotte Burrows (Paul), 17 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren, and was preceded in death by her husband, Dean.

A viewing will be held Friday, September 26, from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm at the Nelson Family Mortuary, 4780 N. University Avenue, Provo, Utah.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 27, at 12pm, with a viewing from 10:30 am to 11:30 am, at the Edgemont South Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 350 East 2950 North, Provo, Utah. Family and friends are invited to gather to celebrate her remarkable life and enduring influence. Interment will be at East Lawn Memorial Hills Cemetery in Provo.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to LDS Philanthropies (see link below) to continue Jean's mission of supporting children and families.

To watch the webcast of funeral services scroll further down the page and click on link below the Trees.