Jean Susan Kressy
Jean Susan Kressy, wife, mother, sister, aunt, teacher, writer, and grandmother, died peacefully on March 14, 2026, at the age of 88. Born November 3, 1937, in New York, her life was marked by a deep commitment to learning, intellectual curiosity, and dedication to helping others through education and the written word.
Jean grew up in New York City and lived in Ashburnham, Massachusetts, for many years. She attended Cornell University and graduated from the Columbia University–Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing. She earned a master’s degree in nutrition and foods from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Jean was a food correspondent for The Boston Globe, a contributing editor of Cooking Light, and a contributing author to 13 books. In addition, she was on the faculty at Fitchburg State University, where she taught nursing for nearly 50 years. In her honor, the university established the Jean Kressy Nursing Scholarship. She also received the Distinguished Alumni Award for Nursing Education from the Columbia University–Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing, and the Media Excellence Award from the Massachusetts Dietetic Association.
She is survived by her husband, Michael; her children, Sarah Kressy and Ed Kressy; her siblings, Anne Reiniger (Douglas) and Charles Gleichenhaus (Emily); her grandson, Anthony Giliberti; and eight nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother, D. Peter Gleichenhaus (Barbara); her mother, Pauline Gleichenhaus; and her father, Philip Gleichenhaus.
Jean will be remembered for her independence of mind, dry wit, and the seriousness with which she approached life.
Memorial arrangements will be announced at a later date.