Jean was born on February 18, 1938, in Lewiston, Maine, and died at Green Mountain Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Colchester, Vermont, on August 27th, 2020. She grew up on the family farm in Auburn, Maine, graduated from Edward Little High School in Auburn (1955) and obtained a bachelor’s degree In Physical Education from the University of New Hampshire (1960). She taught Physical Education for one year in Nevada City, California, before returning to the east coast. She worked in the Blood Bank at Children’s Hospital in Boston while she earned the required credits for the ASCP registry exams to become a Medical Technologist (Clinical Laboratory Scientist). She worked in the laboratory at the Mary Fletcher Hospital in Burlington, Vermont, and remained there in its subsequent reincarnations until her retirement, splitting her time between the Blood Bank and the Chemistry Lab. Blood Banking was her forte and her methodical attention to detail made that a perfect fit for her.
She loved her garden and spent many hours amongst her vegetables. At the end of summer, the freezer was full of produce for the winter. Her pets were always family members. She was the cat lover and she tolerated the dogs. Jean is predeceased by her father Elwin O. Hodgkin, her mother Mildred Riley Hodgkin, and her brother William E. Hodgkin, MD. She is survived by her long-time partner Hilaire D. Thomas, her sister-in-law Vivian D. Hodgkin, her nephew Andrew D. Hodgkin, her niece Elizabeth H. Beresford and husband Jon, and her great niece Josephine Lee Beresford.
Burial will take place at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Sabattus, Maine. There will be no visiting hours. In lieu of flowers, please send a contribution to Vermont Public Radio, Colchester, VT, Vermont Food Bank, Barre, VT, or Committee On Temporary Shelter, Burlington, VT.