IN MEMORIAM: Jean Thorpe, 87;
Love Of Nature Flowered In County
HARTWICK – Jean Thorpe, beloved wife, mother and grandmother whose love of nature flowered during 22 years in Otsego County, died late Sunday evening, March 12, 2017, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown. She was 87.
Born July 6, 1929, in New York City, Jean was the daughter of Richard E. and Helen E. (Wright) Cary. She was raised in Fort Lee, N.J., and while growing up she spent many happy times in Swartswood Lake, N.J., with her family. She was once named Miss Wildwood.
Through the years she was employed in several occupations, but the job she liked most was being a switchboard operator at U.S. Steel and National Tube in New York City.
On May 15, 1954, Jean married John J. Thorpe in Westwood, N.J. In 1956, they moved to Nanuet where they raised their family.
In 1995 Jean and John moved to Hartwick and settled on West Hill where Jean was able to truly relish her love of nature. She also enjoyed gardening, baking, fishing, watching the hummingbirds, her daughter’s dog, Scotty, and the beautiful views from their deck.
Throughout her life, Jean always had a positive attitude, no matter the situation, and always looked on the bright side of life.
Jean truly loved her family, and will be fondly remembered as a devoted and loving wife to her husband of 62 years, John J. Thorpe of Hartwick; a wonderful mom to two daughters, Nancy Higgins and husband, John, of Middletown, and Carol Stankard of Hartwick; and a loving grandmother to Jennifer Jean Casey and husband, Thomas of Walden.
She was predeceased by a son, John J. Thorpe, Jr., in 1976 and a son-in-law, Matt Stankard, in 1999.
A private graveside service will be held in George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus, N.J.
Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown