Jean Pauline Lenling

Jean P. (Holland) Lenling, 81, of Acushnet and formerly of Fairhaven passed away on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at Charlton Memorial Hospital. She was the wife of the late Russell H. Lenling, with whom she married in 1960 right after graduating high school. We all heard many times how Russ was her paperboy and truly the love of her life.

Born in New Bedford she was the daughter of the late Francis A. and Rita (Samson) Holland.

She loved being a resident of Fairhaven, enjoying many days riding her bicycle with her children to Fort Phoenix. As a young mother, having a daughter with Down Syndrome, Jean was a champion for children with special needs. She would attend many meetings advocating for services that are now mainstream. Jean was also the proud owner of Rita’s Rest Home in New Bedford for 20 years, providing great care to the residents before her forced retirement in 2002 due to cardiac issues. In her later years, she cherished “family time”, especially admiring her grandchildren for which she was very proud. Whether it was a large holiday gathering, a backyard barbecue or a simple Sunday Dinner she was happy. Jean was also a voracious reader going through large novels at lightning speed, with chocolate in hand of course.

She is survived by her daughter, Robin Maguire and her husband Paul of Acushnet, their two sons, Sean Maguire and his wife Marjorie of Pembroke, and Kyle Maguire of Acushnet; her son Scott Lenling and his wife Suzan of Acushnet, his daughter Brooke Lenling of Newport, RI, and his two step-sons Andrew and Kevin Pacheco; as well as her daughter Wendy Jo Lenling of Acushnet.

She is also survived by her sister, Frances "Fran" Fernandes, and her husband Al of Port St. Lucie, FL; her brother, Wayne Holland of Fairhaven; and her brother-in-law Carl Perry of Hampton, NH; as well as several nieces and nephews. She was the beloved sister of the late Theresa C. Perry of Hampton, NH.

Her visitation will be Friday, April 12, 2024 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in Waring-Sullivan Home at Fairlawn, 180 Washington St., Fairhaven. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. in St. Joseph's Church, Spring St., Fairhaven. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to MA Division Special Olympics, 512 Forest Street, Marlborough, MA 01756 specialolympics.org or American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692 heart.org.