Jean Lillian MacDonald Behnken passed away suddenly on Sept. 11, 2010 at Waterbury Hospital. Jean was born in Lynn MA to the late Lillian and George MacDonald. She was a beloved wife, daughter, mother, sister, cousin, Nana, friend, and teacher. She is survived by her beloved husband of 47 years, Heinz-Gunther Behnken whom she married 1963 in Danbury CT before moving to Bremen Germany. They moved back to U.S.A. in 1964. They lived in Woodbury since 1968.
While her husband was her first love, teaching and painting were her passions. She took great pride in her 37-year elementary school teaching career. She taught at Beaver Brook Elementary School in Danbury before she taught at James Morris Elementary School in Morris where she spent most of her career. Her dedication to her students extended well beyond the classroom and Jean regarded them as children in her extended family. Her countless acts of kindness, both in and out of the classroom, touched many lives. She inspired many students who were fortunate to have her as a teacher many of whom she stayed in contact with long after they left school. During her tenure, she earned two masters degrees in Reading and Child Psychology.
Jean also had a great passion for painting and pursued that passion after she retired from teaching. Her beautiful paintings were shown at several galleries in the area.
Her great joy was her family; her husband, Heinz-Gunther; her sons Ronald and his wife Cathy, Holger and his wife Svetlana; her daughters Christine, Karin and her husband Tony Damiani; and her adored grandchildren, Aundre, Ashley, Holland, Rebecca, and Kaitlyn.
She also leaves her brother George and his wife Susan; sisters Carole Mitchell, Lynne MacDonald and her partner Christine Smith, and Lynda and her husband Erni Ochsner; brother in-law Johann and his wife Ursel; sister in-law Marianne Burfeind; brother in-law Klaus and his wife Ulla; several cousins, nieces and nephews; and many special friends. She was predeceased by her brother Thomas.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Henry Barnard Memorial Retired Teachers Fund c/o Ruth Walsh, P.O. Box 53, West Mystic, CT 06388 or the American Heart Association 5 Brookside Dr. Wallingford, Ct 06492.

Cemetery: Cemetery Not Applicable

Location: Munson-Lovetere Woodbury

Funeral: Church Not Applicable

Services: memorial services beginning at 2: 30pm on Friday. A private burial service will be held at a later date.

Visitation: Calling hours will be held on Friday September 17th from 1: 00 - 3: 00pm at the Woodbury Funeral Home of Munson - Lovetere, 2 School St.