Jean S. Paquette

She was born on July 24, 1935, in Alstead, NH, daughter of the late Mildred (Miner) Walker and John Spaulding. She attended area schools and graduated from Keene High School.

Upon completing high school, Jean held her very first job as a live-in babysitter for the Croteau family in Keene. She then took a position at Ashuelot National Bank in the loan department. Her career continued as a government employee, first with the Social Security Administration and later at the Department of Agriculture, from which she retired.

Jean was lucky to find love for a second time with Roland C. Paquette and the two married on January 3, 1981. They celebrated many joyful years together before his passing in August of 2000. In her golden years, she found a special connection with her companion, Dick Cranson.

Spunky, generous, and kind, Jean always made sure to put others first. She was constantly complimented on being sweet and extremely classy. In her earlier years, she found pleasure in camping. She enjoyed playing cards with friends, visits to the Senior Center, and dancing with the Keene Swingers and Monadnock Squares. As of most recent, she still participated in dance, focusing on country music styles. She liked to dabble in different hobbies including cake decorating, sewing, and ceramics. Some of her favorite pastimes were taking motorcycle rides with Dick going to Foxwoods and playing the slots.

Jean will be dearly missed by her daughters: Joy Richards-Davis and her husband Gerry of Roxbury, NH, Diane Richards and her husband Keith Auger of Keene, NH, and Laurie (Richards) Willey and her husband Steve of Keene, NH; grandchildren: Shannon Kissell of Keene, NH, Shauna Page and her husband Thane of Swanzey, NH, and Caitlyn Meade and her husband Norm Valley of Keene, NH; great-grandchildren: Camdyn, Aiden, Brianna, Xander, and Benny; one great-great-grandchild on the way; stepsister: Mary Quinn of Maine; dear friend and companion: Dick Cranson of Ashfield, MA; as well as many extended family members.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her siblings: Ronald Spaulding, William Spaulding, and Elizabeth Spaulding; granddaughter: Bethany Koziara; stepmother: Lona Spaulding; and former husband and father of her children: Paul Richards.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at 11:00 am at Fletcher Funeral Home, 33 Marlboro Street, Keene, NH. Burial will follow at Monadnock View Cemetery in Keene.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to be made in Jean S. Paquette’s name to the Dartmouth Cancer Center at Kingsbury Pavilion, 580 Court Street, Keene, NH 03431.