Jean Marie (West) Wetmore, of Northfield, Minn., formerly of Pemaquid, passed away on March 25. She was born on March 12, 1932 and raised in Brookline, Mass. Her parents were Kenneth and Amber (Mitchell). Older brother Alan (Winnie) and sister Carolyn (George) both still reside in Massachusetts.
Jean was graduated from Framingham State Teachers College in 1953 and became an elementary school teacher in Dedham, Mass. She and Tom were married in 1954 and moved to Medfield, Mass., where Jean returned to teaching in 1965. In 1977 she received her Masters of Education from Plymouth State College in New Hampshire. They raised four children in Medfield before moving to Bloomington, Minn. in 1979. After retiring in 1992, they fulfilled a plan of many years by building a home near Pemaquid Point on the coast of Maine. Long after retirement, she spent one season as the pastry chef for the Coveside Restaurant in South Bristol. With the help of her oldest grandchild, Leigh, she prepared some of her favorite desserts: Swedish cream with fresh fruit, flourless chocolate torte, blueberry pie, and others. In 2006, she and Tom moved to Northfield, Minn. in order to be closer to children and grandchildren.
Family and friends were the center of Jean’s life. She easily made friends across generations through her graciousness, interest in others, and thoughtfulness. Friends would say that when they spoke with her, she made them feel that they were the only people in the room, no matter how much was going on. She looked for and found ways to include everyone in gatherings and to make them memorable. She was a dedicated and enthusiastic member of PEO. In Maine she was a member of Chapter F. Over the last year she was active in starting a new chapter, FR, in Northfield.
On Easter Sunday she was with family and friends. She laughed, helped others to laugh, and quietly was the gracious, inviting, loving wife, mother, and friend that we will miss.
She was preceded in death by grandson Sam.
Jean is survived by husband Thomas; sons, Alan, Jay (Connie), Chris (Annette), and David (Kris); and grandchildren, Leigh, Diane, Derek, Carter, Brooke, Anna, Adam, Katie, and Annika.
Visitation March 28 at the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home in Northfield, Minn. Visitation continued at the NRC Chapel on March 29 one hour prior to the service. Services March 29 at the Northfield Retirement Center Chapel with Rev. Gerald Gengenbach officiating. Music will be provided by Kathy Quade. Interment in Oaklawn Cemetery, Northfield, Minn.
Memorials are preferred to PEO Chapter FR in Northfield, Minn.
Arrangements are with the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home.
