Jean Marie (Pooler) Garen, 80 of Colchester, passed away peacefully on March 28, 2022. Jean was born on September 8, 1941, in Moriah, New York, born to Karl and Grace Fountain Pooler.
She is survived by her son Karl and his wife Desiree; son William and his wife Tammy, their daughters, Teremy and Natalee; as well as numerous nieces nephews, and cousins.
Jean was raised from the age of two at the time of her mother’s death by her mother’s sister Aunt Laura (and Stanley) Valyeau. Although she was raised in Burlington Vermont, she spent summers with her brothers at her Aunt Edna Hillman’s farm in New York. She also spent summers on the lake where Laura and Stanley worked on the Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain.
She graduated from Burlington High School in 1959 where she met her husband Lawrence Edward Garen. They were married in 1960 and moved to Charlotte where they raised their three children, Karl, Debbie, and Bill.
Jean’s career included a number of years as a sales manager at Harbour Industries in Shelburne; working with her husband in their plumbing heating and electrical business and later as a credit counselor for consumer credit.
In her younger years, she enjoyed family gatherings where she shared her love of music by singing, playing her organ, accordion, and later guitar as well. She also played briefly with friends as a part of a local band.
Jean was an accomplished bowler attending several national bowling tournaments.
She'll be missed by her friends at Holy Cross senior housing, especially her best friends Gloria and Chris Gover.
She was predeceased by her husband of 38 years Lawrence Edward Garen; her daughter Deborah Garen; Her brothers Robert (Bob) Pooler, Edwin (Eddie) Pooler, Frederick (Freddie) Pooler.
Jean's family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Elderwood of Burlington for all of their kind and compassionate care during Jeans’s last weeks.
A private graveside service will be held at a later date. Donations can be made to the Human Society or the Colchester Food Shelf.