Jean Wharton

Jean A. Wharton, of Amsterdam, NY passed away on February 17, 2025, at the age of 83. 

The daughter of Charles and Ruth Wharton, Jean attended Amsterdam public schools and graduated from Wilbur Lynch High School in 1959. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature from Elmira College in 1964. 

Her love of books and the arts led her to Boston, where she began her professional career working at Houghton Mifflin Publishing Company.  After several years she took up an opportunity to join a new small literary publishing company, Gambit, in Boston. 

Jean was married to Elon Marquand for several years and resided in Duxbury, Mass. Following their divorce her career took a different direction.  She joined the staff of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, a segue to one of her other passions, gardening, where her creativity blossomed.

A devoted family member, Jean returned to Amsterdam to care for her father in his later years and enjoyed the many opportunities small town life afforded.  She was happy to rekindle old friendships, relished making new friends, and found time as a Master Gardener to direct her talents to gardening. When not gardening Jean enjoyed playing the piano, drawing and cooking. Jean had endless energy for all of her interests and plenty of time for family.

Jean is survived by her siblings Nancy Bolger of Pittsford, NY; Donald Wharton of So. Glens Falls, NY Kathleen DeSimone, of Somerville, NJ and several nieces, nephews, and grand-nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at Betz, Rossi, Bellinger & Stewart Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Ave., Amsterdam.  A date and time will be announced.

Donations in her memory can be made to the Amsterdam Free Library, 28 Church Street, Ste 1, Amsterdam, 12010 or the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD, 21741.

Online condolences can be made at www.brbsfuneral.com