Jeanne Deschenes

Jeanne Deschenes, 81, formerly of Dean Farm Road in Jaffrey, died Sunday, April 3, 2011 at the Summerhill Assisted Living Center in Peterborough after a brief period of failing health.

Mrs. Deschenes was born in Jaffrey, New Hampshire on December 15, 1929, daughter of the late William and Winnie (Walker) Leonard. She was raised in Dublin and had been a graduate of the former Peterborough High School. She received her Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education from Keene State College in 1951.

Mrs. Deschenes moved to Jaffrey after marrying Paul L. Deschenes on April 24, 1954. Together, they made their home at the infamous Dean Farm for over 54 years.

She taught the youth in the Monadnock Region, from pre-school aged children through 6th graders, in Dublin, Hancock, Rindge and at Saint Patrick School in Jaffrey. She was a dedicated teacher and had belonged to the Retired Teachers Association.

Mrs. Deschenes was an avid gardener and had a love for flowers. She also enjoyed music, art and literature, but most of all, loved spending time together with her family.

She was preceded in death by her husband Paul L. Deschenes on September 8, 1996, and by her sisters Elaine Pyde and Pearl Steinberg.

Mrs. Deschenes is survived by her 3 daughters; Laura Lewandowski and her husband Joe of Sullivan, NH, Cal Deschenes of Jaffrey, NH, and Rebecca DeGrandpre and her husband Martin of Jaffrey, NH; her 3 sons; Paul L. Deschenes, Jr. and his wife Shelley of Keene, NH, and Charles and Robert Deschenes, both of Jaffrey; her 5 grandchildren, Benjamin and Cadence DeGrandpre of Jaffrey, Paul L. Deschenes, III and Sarah Deschenes, both of Keene, NH and Walker Deschenes of Jaffrey, NH; a sister Marie L. Rajaniemi of Glen Rock, Pennsylvania, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Deschenes name to either Summerhill Assisted Living Gardening Club, 183 Old Dublin Road, Peterborough, NH 03458, or to the Jaffrey Public Library Childrens Department, C/O Trustees of the Jaffrey Library, 38 Main Street, Jaffrey, NH, 03452

Burial will be later at the family lot in Saint Patrick Cemetery in Jaffrey.

Family and friends are warmly invited to calling hours on Friday, April 8, 2011 from 5:00PM to 7:00PM at the Cournoyer Funeral Home Cremation Center, 33 River Street, (Route 202) Jaffrey.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, April 9, 2011 at 11:00 AM at Saint Patrick Church, 89 Main Street, Jaffrey. Rev. Wilfred Deschamps, Pastor, will be the celebrant.