Jean Lenar (Campbell) Lemaire, 90 of New Bedford passed away peacefully at The Oaks Skilled Nursing Facility on September 11, 2020.
Jean was born April 18, 1930 to Jesse Leo and Gertrude Mae (Leahey) Campbell and lived in Fall River until her marriage to J. Paul Lemaire. They raised a family and then moved to Florida until her husband’s passing in 1998. For medical reasons she came back home to Massachusetts in 2016.
During her early life after the death of her father, she spent some time at Sisters of St. Joseph and then after graduating from Sacred Heart Academy she was employed by New England Telephone and Telegraph for most of her career as an Operator, Clerk and Supervisor. After retiring as a telephone pioneer, returned to work in the business department. She was a very dedicated worker receiving attendance awards and accolades, held other part time jobs and was involved with elections in Westport as a worker and warden.
After marrying Buddy (Paul) she resided with her mother-in-law, Laura Lemaire for 9 years and moved next door after building their beautiful cape home in Westport. She was a communicant of Our Lady of Grace Church in Westport where they raised four children.
Buddy and Jean were square dancers and lit up the dance floor as they waltzed. They were very much in love throughout their 45 years together. Jean was especially proud of her Scottish heritage and would comment on her love for her Aunt Margaret and her signature eyebrows. She was an avid card player, introducing the game Hand and Foot to Rochester Congregational Church and the Rochester Council on Aging where she loved to make everyone play by the rules and laugh. She was very well known as the raspberry tart baker in Florida, serious bingo player and enjoyed being an artist. She had a love of curtains and dressed her bed every morning.
Those left to cherish her memory include her three daughters; Ann Soares (Thomas) of Rochester, Jane Lemaire Crompton (Kevin) of Rhode Island , Lois Bettencourt of GA and one son; Paul R. Lemaire (Maria) of Fall River, Ma. Five granddaughters; Katie Jean Cunningham (Peter) and Shelby Elizabeth Bettencourt, both of Florida, Megan Julia Bettencourt of Westport, Ma, Chloe Rae Doucet (Michael) of West Bridgewater, Rileigh Paige Lemaire of Fall River, Ma. Two grandsons; Jay Paul White (Sandra) of Westport, Ma and David Louis White (My) of California. Four great-granddaughters; Aurora Sky White and Regina Jay White of Westport, Ma, Brooklyn Roseann Cunningham and Piper Faye Cunningham of Florida and one great-Grandson, Brock Banner Doucet of West Bridgewater, Ma. One sister in law who was her matron of honor, Alyce Lemaire Maynard of PA. She leaves many nieces and nephews; Michael, Thomas, Jean, Kelly, Kara, (Cardoza) Robert, Bruce , Steve, Laurie, (Campbell)Judith and Susan, (Maynard) three step- grandchildren and their families.
She was preceded in death by her husbands: J. Paul Lemaire and Ralph Dow, her parents, her siblings Ruth Gertrude Cardoza and Robert Lincoln Campbell, nieces; Helen, Anita, Louise and nephew George and many friends.
A memorial graveside service under the direction of the Potter Funeral Home will be held at Beech Grove Cemetery, Westport on September 28, 2020 at 11AM. Please adhere to all Covid-19 state guidelines by wearing a mask and remaining 6 feet apart if you plan to attend. All traditional Scottish clan apparel is welcome.
The family would like to express heartfelt gratitude to the wonderful staff at the Oaks Skilled Nursing Facility for their dignified and caring environment. Jean spent her final years being creative, feeling loved and blessed to be treated as the lady she truly was.