Jean Marie Fletcher

"Jean Marie (Collins) Fletcher was born in Arlington, MA, on September 2, 1929 to Anna and James Collins and died peacefully on January 14, 2004 at her home in South Hadley. She earned her B.A. at Bridgewater State College in 1951 where she met the love of her life, Ralph J. Fletcher. They married 52 years ago on February 16, 1952 and had nine children. Jean is survived by her husband Ralph; and eight of her children: Ralph, Jr. and his wife JoAnn Portalupi of Lee, NH; James of Phoencia, NY; Elaine (Fletcher) Vega and her husband Carlos of Holyoke; Thomas and his partner Julie Last of Woodstock, NY; John of Newark, DE; Joseph and his wife Christine Fletcher of Barrington, NH; Kathleen Fletcher of Tacoma Park, MD; and Carolyn Fletcher of Pittsburgh, PA. Jean's son, Robert died in 1974. She is survived by her grandchildren Rebecca, Taylor, Adam, Robert, Joseph, David, Santiago, Ethan, Aaron, Jesse, Nicolas, and her great-grandchildren Destiny and Courtney. She is also survived by her brothers William of Malden, MA and John of Ashton, MD as well as many brother- and sister-in-laws and 62 nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her sisters Mary Collins, Ruth McCullough; and Norma Clark, as well as her brothers James and Edwin. Jean was a life-long educator with a primary interest in literacy and Special Education. In the 1970's, she was elected to the West Islip, NY school board for two terms. She often volunteered her time tutoring children and adults. Jean was a committed community activist: organizing Earth Day clean-ups in the 1970's, bringing meals to her neighbors in need, caring for the elderly, and working for social justice for migrant workers. She was also a devoted Catholic; serving as a CCD teacher and a Eucharistic Minister for many years. She will be remembered as a loving wife, a creative and energetic mother of nine, a woman who brought laughter and comfort to many. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. from the Beers & Story S.Hadley Funeral Home followed by a mass at St. Theresa’s Church at 12:00 p.m. Burial will be at a later date. Calling hours will be held Monday from 4-7:00 p.m. Donations may be made in her memory to Baystate VNA and Hospice, 50 Maple St., Springfield, MA 01102. "