Obituary

Jean E. Merton

Wed, 09/28/2016 - 1:45pm

Jean Elizabeth (Chapman) Merton, 94, of East Longmeadow, Massachusetts died peacefully September 25, 2016 at Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, Mass.

Born in Springfield to the late Kenneth and Marion (Reed) Chapman, she graduated from the High School of Commerce, Springfield in 1939 and Charles Choate Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, Woburn, Mass., in 1944.

Jean worked as a registered nurse at Springfield Hospital and various area doctors’ offices. She was a member of Corona Chapter Eastern Star, Daughters of the Nile and the East Longmeadow United Methodist Church.

For many years, Jean enjoyed summers at the Merton Family cottage in Ocean Point, Maine. She also loved lap swimming with her friends at the Jewish Community Center in Longmeadow.

She was predeceased by her husband of 69 years, Joseph B. Merton, in October 2015. Jean was also predeceased by her sister, Leah D. Dalton, and her brothers, Kenneth F. and George A. Chapman.

She will be deeply missed by her children, Joseph B. Merton Jr. and his wife Jennifer of East Longmeadow and Charlotte J. Logan and her husband Jack of Wilbraham, with whom she lived; four grandchildren, Julia and Catherine Merton and John Logan and Christine Lightner; three great-grandchildren and her special friend, “our dog Harry.”

Jean’s presence in this world touched countless lives in positive ways until the very end. She was a genuinely nice person, a true peacemaker and had only kind words for everyone. Jean had many friends because she knew how to be a friend. She will be missed by all who were privileged enough to have known her.

Jean’s funeral service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 8 at 11 a.m. in East Longmeadow United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in Baptist Village Cemetery, East Longmeadow.

Memorial contributions may be made to Macular Degeneration Research, 22512 Gateway Center Dr., P.O. Box 1952, Clarksburg, MD 20871-1952 or to the East Longmeadow United Methodist Church, 215 Somers Rd., East Longmeadow, MA 01028.