Jean moved to Massachusetts to start a new life with her husband, and the love of her life Harry D. Sperling who passed away in 1983. Jean and Harry (Lee) were married for 29 years, had four children, Steven D. and (Marilyn Sperling) of Naples, FL, Vera L. and (Peter Dion) of Tampa, FL, Brian L. and (Judy Sperling) of Wells, Maine and Donna J and (Sean Kent) of Pittsfield, MA. In addition are her grandchildren Tammy L. and (James) Gaudette of Hubert, NC and Sandy Spring (Dawn Davenport) of Pittsfield, MA with whom she shared a special bond and loved like her own. Her family has continued to grow with the addition of six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren. Jean and Lee were known for not only their love for each but their love of their neighbors and friends.
Jean worked decorating cakes and doing needlework beading sweaters while raising her family. She always enjoyed crocheting, knitting, embroidery and using her sewing machine, she would make clothes for her daughters and their dolls. She made dolls, blankets and other toys for her grandchildren. After her husband’s passing, she began with adult foster care, taking in and caring for elderly who had nowhere else to go and needed a good home and some assistance with daily living. Over a decade or more, she took care of and provided a home for more than half a dozen people, some who lived with her and her family for years, became a friend and a part of Jean’s family.
Jean always enjoyed gardening, birdwatching, her daily crosswords and was amazing at building puzzles – and do not think you would beat her at Jeopardy or Wheel of Fortune. She was the family’s reigning Scrabble champion and would never turn down a cup of coffee or lunch & Keno with a friend or family. She was always an animal lover who had offered a home to many stray cats, dogs, and yes – that pet skunk – the birds, the fish tanks, she loved them all. And after over 40 years apart, all her favorite stories were still all about her “Lee”, the day she met him, how he took her breath away and the many nights they spent dancing around the living room to Engelbert Humperdinck on vinyl.
Jean touched the lives of so many, family, friends, neighbors – as missed as she will be and there will be an emptiness she will leave – let her memory live on thru her children, her grand, great and great-great-grandchildren and the generations to come. We will tell the stories of homemade fruit roll ups, warm cocoa and cinnamon buns on a snow day, spaghetti sauce that cooked for 12 hours – the smell of pea soup simmering down the block.
A small grave-side burial with her immediate family will be held for Jean at St. Joseph’s Cemetery where she will be laid to rest alongside Lee. If anyone wishes to attend, please contact the family.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to “HospiceCare in the Berkshires” in care of Dery Funeral Home, 54 Bradford St., Pittsfield, MA 01201.
Published by The Berkshire Eagle on Jun. 18, 2024.