A Legacy Gift Makes a Tremendous Impact for Foster & Kinship Care Students

Jim and Beth Maize believed strongly in ensuring every child had access to an even playing field in life. As literacy volunteers, community members and supporters of Santa Rosa Junior College, their legacy of caring will continue in perpetuity through a charitable remainder trust set up to support SRJC Foster & Kinship Care students.

Jim grew up in Willits, California, working in his family's nursery and building supply business before heading to the University of Oregon. Beth, a Portland native, met her husband of 60 years on a blind date while also attending the University of Oregon. Jim later served in the U.S. Navy in World War II as a communications officer in the Pacific aboard the USS Howorth.

After World War II, they moved to Jim's hometown of Willits. In 1957, with three children in tow, they moved to Southern California, where Beth and Jim cultivated many lifelong friendships and Jim and his brother operated a hardware manufacturing company. After selling the business, Jim and Beth bought the Hardt ranch in Bennett Valley in 1974 and built their retirement home.

Beth's passion for genealogy and travel inspired many trips for her and Jim in the U.S. and abroad to explore family history and interesting sites. Beth loved nature: childhood summers spent at Cannon Beach on the Oregon coast, gatherings at the family cabin at Lake of the Woods, Oregon, or a view of the old barns and Bennett Peak from her home. Jim loved the outdoors as well and had an affinity for wildlife, particularly the owls, hawks and other birds that found refuge around their Bennett Valley home. He served in rotary and SIRS, enjoyed working with the Boy Scouts, and served as a literacy volunteer.

Jim passed away in August 2004 and Beth followed in August 2013. Their generosity to the community both on a personal level with adult literacy tutoring and charitable contributions were outward examples of their amazing spirits. With a legacy gift from their charitable remainder trust, Beth and Jim ensured a bright future for SRJC Foster & Kinship Care students to access the services and education they need to truly level the playing field.