Barbara Jean Gustafson

Barbara Jean Gustafson, 87, of Peterborough, NH, and formerly of Warren, PA and Bradford, PA, died peacefully in the arms of her daughters on March 3, 2021 in Peterborough after living several years with Alzheimer’s Disease.

She was born on January 29, 1934, in Bradford, PA, daughter of the late Earl A. and Evelyn A. (Poling) Lorshbaugh. Jean was a graduate of Bradford High School. On April 25, 1959, Jean married Robert ‘Bob’ Gustafson of Bradford, PA, and eventually they settled in Warren, PA, where they raised their two daughters. Jean worked as an Administrative Assistant, a Tupperware Regional Sales Manager, and Paraprofessional for the Learning Disabled. Upon retirement, Bob and Jean began spending their winters in Winter Haven, FL, where they eventually lived year-round.

Throughout her life, Jean had lots of interests - Music, Entertaining, Baking, Reading, Bowling, Traveling, Crafts, and her Faith. She was very social and loved to spend time with her family and friends. She spent many hours volunteering as a Choir Member, Music Director, Youth Group Supervisor and Newsletter contributor at the First Salem United Methodist Church. She gave her time to many organizations outside of the church as well; Warren Area High School Music Booster, Special Olympics coordinator, Hospice volunteer, Social Director at Oakwood Estates, and Kinzua Kountry Kadettes chaperone. She also belonged to several organizations - Eastern Star, Order of the Amaranth, and she started a chapter of the Red Hat Society.

Jean also loved writing. She would write long letters to family and friends, as well as wrote poems for special occasions.

Jean had a huge heart and loved living life. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She was very proud of her family. For over twenty years she and her husband enjoyed the ‘snowbird’ life, traveling north in the summer and south in the winter. She loved spending her time in the sun.

Jean is survived by her daughters, Marcea Gustafson-Belletete of Jaffrey, NH, and Leslie Gustafson of Raleigh, NC; and her three Grandchildren; Evelyn Porter of Chicago, IL, Alexandra Page and Christian Page, both of Raleigh, NC, and countless friends.

The family wishes to thank the caregivers at Scott-Farrar of Peterborough and Compassus Hospice who were wonderful throughout her time at Scott-Farrar, but especially the last two weeks, allowing her daughters to spend that time by her side.

There will be no calling hours. The burial will take place in April at the McKean County Memorial Cemetery in Bradford, PA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the Alzheimer’s Association, 166 South River Road, Bedford, NH 03110 or the Jennie Scott Legacy Fund, 11 Elm Street, Peterborough, NH 03458.