Jean Mansfield Craig Brooks

Jean Mansfield Craig Brooks, died at home early on November 12th, surrounded by her loving family, one day after her 90th birthday. Jean was born in Newton, MA on November 11, 1921, the eldest daughter of the late Dr. and Mrs. George Mansfield Craig of Higganum, CT.

After graduating from her high school, the Madeira School in Virginia, she attended Colby Junior College, New London, NH, and received an Associate’s Degree in Retail. Jean worked in Boston at both Jordan Marsh and Filene’s stores for eight years. She then entered the Boston School of Occupational Therapy at Tufts University and graduated in 1951 with a BS in Occupational Therapy. She worked with the Veteran’s Administration in Dayton, OH and in Northampton, MA as a Licensed Occupational Therapist. When her family moved to Needham, MA, she enjoyed her life’s work with clients in many local nursing homes. She was one of the first Occupational Therapists in Massachusetts to provide Remotivation Therapy to elderly, memory-impaired patients.

In 1954, she married Kenneth W. Brooks; they celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary this past April. With her husband, she loved to make day trips and visit local restaurants, eat ice cream, go to the beach to sunbathe, read, and knit. Jean loved to swim in the warmer waters of southern CT, but she also loved spending time in the Pemaquid region of Maine with her family and friends.

Jean is survived by her beloved husband Ken, her daughter Martha, grandson James, all of Merrimack NH, and her son, Craig, and his family, of Billerica, MA. She was predeceased by her parents and her sister Elizabeth Foster. She is also survived by her dear cousins and their families: Helen Craig Jarrold of Gainesville, FLA; Dr. and Mrs. George West of Green Valley, AZ and Mr. and Mrs. Worthing West of Millersville, MD. She also leaves behind several nieces, nephews, and many beloved friends. Jean’s family wishes to thank Jean’s special caregivers, Diane Talbot, Jessica Lovering, Carol Feehan, and the many others who supported all of us during this long journey.

We invite family and friends to join us in celebrating and remembering Jean’s life on Saturday, November 19th at 1 pm, at the First Congregational Church, 508 Union Street, Manchester, NH. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jean’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, 5 Bedford Farms Drive, Suite 201, Bedford, NH 03110-6524 or to The Middlesex Historical Society, General Joseph Mansfield House, 151 Main Street, Middletown, CT 06457.