Jean (Carlson) Fletcher

Jean Fletcher of Southampton, MA passed away on October 8, 2024 at the age of 91. Jean is survived by her children, Sandra LaPrade and her husband Randy Allmon of North Grafton, MA., Janet Palermo and her husband Michael of Nashua, N.H., Lauren Fletcher of Hudson, N.H., and Robert Fletcher and his wife Cheryl of Southampton, MA. She is also survived by her younger brother, Richard Carlson of Easton, MA. Jean was predeceased by her parents, Herbert and Dorothy Carlson, her brother, Robert Carlson, and her son, Peter Fletcher. Jean will be greatly missed by her 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Jean, affectionately known to many as “Gram”, was born in Scituate, MA in 1933. She spent much of her life in Westford, MA and later moved to Western Massachusetts in the early 2000’s, but she never lost her Boston accent. Jean was a true New Englander. She loved walking on the beach, collecting sand dollars, shopping at L.L. Bean, and always enjoyed a fresh lobstah roll. Some of her grandchildren’s fondest memories are spending summer vacation at Salisbury Beach with her growing up. Jean loved to make homemade baked beans, steamed chocolate pudding (with whipped cream of course!), and apple pie. If you were ever invited over for hot dogs and beans, you’d be a fool to decline.

Jean raised her five children in Westford while helping to run the family’s former dairy farm, Stonybrook Acres. She continued her love of farming when she moved out to Southampton and could often be found hanging out with the Jersey cows at Fletcher Farm, owned by her son “Bobby” and his wife Cheryl. Jean had the greenest thumb. She took great pride in maintaining a freshly mowed lawn and planting beautiful flowers around the farm. She made sure there were always some marigolds in the flower beds and whiskey barrels. Those were a necessity to Jean.

Jean was old school in many ways. You never had to wonder what she was thinking because she would tell you. She was quick with sarcasm and liked to laugh. She was firm in her beliefs that laundry should be hung on the line, clothes should be ironed, and haircuts look nicer when they are short. Her family would tell you that Jean kept it really real. Jean was a foster parent and a school bus driver for many years, teaching important life lessons to young people. She felt strongly that women could and should do whatever they wanted. She was one of the first women to graduate from the Stockbridge School of Agriculture at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She was also a long time softball player in a women’s league, a past time she greatly enjoyed.

In recent years, Jean was diagnosed with cancer for the second time in her life. She took the diagnosis like a champ and made it clear that she wanted to undergo treatment in order to have more time with her family. She lived independently until her late eighties and maintained her spicy personality right up until the end of her life. Her medical providers have likely had more than a few laughs over the years thanks to her quick wit and unexpected comments.

Jean enjoyed many friendships and good company throughout her life, including her girlfriends in Westford, her softball teammates, her bus driver colleagues, her beach camping crew, friends and neighbors at Southampton Meadows, her dear friend and neighbor, Linda, and many local friends of the Fletchers, who would stop by the farm and visit with her when they saw her out and about. Her presence at the farm stand and family parties will be greatly missed.

The family would like to extend sincere gratitude to the staff at Linda Manor for their care and compassion over the past year. Arrangements for services have been entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Easthampton, MA. A service for Jean will take place on Saturday, November 2, 2024 at 11:00am at the Southampton Congregational Church. A celebration of life luncheon will follow at Fletcher Farm.

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