Jean Patrice Everett

Jean (Rae) Everett, of Alstead, NH, passed away on June 29, 2025, after a courageous two year battle with cancer. Her husband, David Everett predeceased her on April 9th 2025. Jean was surrounded by her family in her final moments, daughter Laurie Everett Driscoll, son-in-law Scott Driscoll, and their children Jordan and Avery, whose presence every day brought her great strength and joy throughout her illness.

Jean was born to Catherine (Cleary) and William Rae in Dorchester, MA on July 13, 1956. She attended schools in Dorchester and went on to UMass Boston, ultimately finishing her degree at Franklin Pierce College in Ringe NH. Jean enjoyed her work and co workers at Markem-Image for many years in Keene, NH and retired in 2023.

Jean leaves behind her loving siblings, William Rae and his wife Mary of Rockland, MA, Paul Rae and his wife Lorraine of Woodstock, CT, Ann Marie Lynch and her husband William of Braintree, MA, and Daniel Rae and his wife Maryellen of Dorchester, MA. She is predeceased by her sister Teresa, wife of Daniel McParland of Dedham, MA. She also leaves behind her sister-in-law Nancy (Everett) and her husband David Callender, of Surry, NH, and sister-in-law Gale (Everett) and her husband James Steffy of Exeter, RI. Jean was adored by her many nieces and nephews, and their children too. The list of people who loved and cherished Jean extended beyond her family as well, to encompass the friends of her daughter Laurie and the friends of her granddaughters.

Jean met her husband David as a teenager at a family gathering at the damn in Surry, NH. She fell in love with David and the place he called home, a land of clear air, trees, birds, peace and wildlife and never wanted to leave. It was a paradise that held every possibility for a kid from Dorchester. She moved to NH and married David in August 1978. They built their home themselves in a perfect spot overlooking the valley within the towns of Alstead and Surry. In the early days there were great camp outs on their land with friends and family that still hold fond memories for the Rae and Everett families and friends to this day. Jean made an impact on everyone she met or welcomed into her home; she had a knack for always leaving new friends feeling like they were the most important person in the room. Jean’s pride and joy was her daughter, Laurie, and she and David shared in all of Laurie’s sports and activities throughout life. She went on to do the same for her granddaughters, Jordan and Avery and was known at their schools, sports events, and amongst their friends and community.

Jean always created a safe place for those around her, offering a laugh or a gentle, loving hug when you needed it most. She had a positive, vivacious personality that resonated in the colorful clothes she wore that matched from her earrings to her socks. She kept in touch with nieces and nephews as they went on to start their adult lives, always ready with her messages of support, a funny joke, and simply telling them how proud she was of them. She crocheted blankets and afghans for family, and enjoyed crafting and going to craft fairs, especially with her granddaughters. She had a love of making creative and amazing food whenever she had an event or company coming. Her famous meatballs and baked beans were always a big request. She and her husband David found great joy in traveling New England in search for antique treasures and new experiences, often with daughter in tow. Jean looked fear in the eye for these past two years and despite a devastating prognosis, she kept fighting for as long as she could. She refused to let cancer take away from her time with the people she loved most, facing each day with immeasurable strength. Even as every breath she took became a battle, Jean’s sense of humor never dulled. She would smile or wryly smirk just to let us know that despite her illness, she appreciated our presence and wanted to comfort us despite her pain. She was a caretaker, a friend, and a light in this world, who lived each day bringing compassion, creativity, and whole lot of laughter to the people who loved her most.

The family invites you to a time of visitation on July 12th from 3:00 to 5:00pm at Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court St, Keene, NH. You may share your memories and condolences at www.foleyfuneralhome.com