CHICOPEE, Mass. – Jean (Smart) Sawyer, 91, passed away Saturday, March 1, 2008, at her home. Born Oct. 14, 1916, in Dexter, she was the daughter of the late Thomas and Mary (Cowie) Smart. She graduated from Dexter High School and was awarded a bachelor’s degree in music education from the State University of New York, Potsdam, N.Y. A career in music, led her to teach in various schools in Maine and for 35 years at the Maine Music Camp. Relocating to the Western Massachusetts area 55 years ago, Jean lived in Springfield, Mass., for 40 years before moving to Chicopee, Mass., in 1993. She was employed as an executive by the former Steiger’s department store for 28 years before retiring in 1983. Her husband, John E. Sawyer, died July 4, 1979. Jean is survived by a son, David T. Sawyer and his wife, Abigail, of Chicopee, Mass.; two daughers, Heidi A. Cassell and her husband, Ted, of Palmetto, Fla., and Sara J. Rzewnicki and her husband, David, of Chicopee, Mass.; a sister, Marion Sinderson of Bethesda, Md.; five grandchildren, Les-leigh Brisson, Brian Bensley and his fianc?e, Carolyn Chap-in, Derek Bensley and his wife, Nicole, Mathew Rzewnicki, and Anne Rzewnicki; and two great-grandchildren. Jean’s family expresses their sincere appreciation to Dr. Salazar and staff, the staff at Beaven Kelly Home, the staff at Baystate VNA/Hos-pice, and Dr. Germaine and staff for the thoughtfulness in the care of their mother. The funeral will be held 10 a.m. Friday at Corridan Funeral Home, 333 Springfield St., Chicopee, Mass. The family will receive friends 4-7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Mary C. Smart Scholarship Fund, care of Donna Hodgkins, 327 Charleston Road, Dexter, ME 04930-2511 or Baystate VNA/Hospice, 50 Maple St., P.O. Box 9058, Springfield, MA 01102-9058.
JEAN SAWYER
