Jeanne Lillian (Landry) Levesque
Jeanne Lillian (Landry) Levesque, 89, of Nashua, beloved wife, mother, and Memere died peacefully, surrounded by her loving family on February 7, 2024.
Jeanne was born in Nashua on July 11, 1934, the only child of Homer Albert and Lillian Louise (Girard) Landry. She was raised by both her beloved grandmother, Georgiana Girard, and her mother Lillian, with whom she enjoyed a beautiful and close mother-daughter friendship until her mother’s passing in 1981. Jeanne was educated in Nashua schools, beginning with the French-Catholic St. Louis de Gonzague School until 9th grade. She then insisted on attending Nashua High School, where she went on to meet the love of her life, Jean Fernand Levesque, at the tennis courts behind Nashua High School. She was raised in a French-speaking community, but mastered English as her second language and always wrote in beautiful prose in the frequent birthday and thank you cards she never forgot to send.
Jeanne and Jean (whom she affectionately called “Ferny”) married shortly after high school on November 13, 1952, during Jean’s tour of Air Force enlistment. They moved to Fort Walton Beach, FL until he was sent for active duty to Korea. When his enlistment ended, they returned to Nashua with their firstborn child. Their family grew to include a grand total of six children–Rick, Jerry, John, Tom, Lynne, and Cliff.
At the age of 33, Jeanne felt called to obtain a higher education in order to teach public school. At the age of 37, with the solid support of her husband, and while raising six children ages 2-15, she very proudly received a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Rivier College. Jeanne went on to very happily teach elementary school in Hudson, NH for many years. She enjoyed moving on to the middle school to teach special education, always feeling that her most gratifying work was done when she was working with students who struggled in school.
Her last few years in education were spent in Nashua at Main Dunstable Elementary School working in special education, until 1991, when she retired to spend time with her newly-retired husband and grandchildren. Jeanne and Jean took the trip of a lifetime to Europe in 1995, and this joyful event filled them with lasting memories of adventures spent together in a beautiful country.
Anything Jeanne put her hand and mind to, she did with excellence. She was an accomplished pianist and created beautiful embroidery especially for every grandchild, who received a hand-embroidered baby announcement. She also had an impressive green thumb and loved all wildlife, especially birds. Cats always had a very special place in her heart. Finally, she was a woman of strong faith. She placed her trust and confidence in God until the end, which was a tremendous source of peace to her and her family.
Jeanne is survived by Jean F. Levesque, her beloved husband of 71 years, and their six children: Richard Levesque and wife Clara of Nashua; Jerry Levesque and wife Sue of Nashua; John Levesque and wife Monica of Nashua; Tom Levesque and wife Pam of Milford; Lynne (Levesque) Lynch and husband Brian of Merrimack; and Cliff Levesque and wife Christine of Merrimack. Jeanne found great joy with her 12 grandchildren: John J. Levesque of Nashua; Amy J. Levesque of Plattsburgh, NY; Daniel J. Levesque of Nashua; Sarah A. (Levesque) Piana and husband Josh of Manchester; Mary J. (Levesque) Laurent and husband Chad of Merrimack; Anna G. Levesque and husband Morgan Carpenter of Claremoor, OK; Luke D. Levesque of Nashua; Hannah L. Lynch of Watertown, MA; Marissa L. (Lynch) Currier and husband Nathaniel of Westbrook, ME; Jocelyn C. (Levesque) Chisholm and husband Kyle of Merrimack; Brittany R. (Levesque) Radzelovage and husband Jack of Merrimack, and Autumn R. (Levesque) Radzelovage and husband Nathan of Londonderry. She was also blessed with seven beautiful great-grandchildren: Violet Joy and Phoenix Jaime Levesque; Daphne Mona and Spencer Norman Laurent; Nadia Heawatha and Nakoa Madawaska Carpenter; and Lillian Jean Piana.
A memorial service will be held privately.
A VERY SPECIAL THANKS TO Home Health and Hospice for their incredible support of Jeanne’s grandchildren while they ministered loving care to their grandmother; to Mitchell Cohen, MD for his kind and gentle support of Jeanne over many years; to Olivia Babala, RN of the SJH ER who recognized what services Jeanne needed; and to Rizalie Amen, RN for supporting the family by gently tending to Jeanne after her passing.