Jean (Bousquet) Richardson
Jean (Bousquet) Richardson, 83, passed away Saturday, May 8th, 2021 at Ringer’s Home Care in Vergennes. The family would like to thank the staff at Ringer’s for the wonderful care she received over the past ten years and Kathy from Addison County Home Health and Hospice for the hospice care at the end.
She was born in Burlington, VT, the middle child of three children of Henry and Beatrice (Heath) Bousquet.
Jean graduated from Burlington High School in 1955. She and Berkeley married in 1957.
Jean worked various jobs throughout her life. After raising three children, she worked at the Bixby Memorial Free Library, Vergennes Union Elementary School in food service, and Aubuchon Hardware. She enjoyed drawing, reading, animals (especially horses), and helping others.
She valued education and volunteered with the PTO, school board, and the school Booster Clubs.
Jean is survived by her three children and their spouses: Bruce and Rebecca Richardson of Berlin, VT, Eric Richardson and Shari Bell of Charlotte, VT, and Sue Richardson and Samuel Essex Jr. of Charlotte, VT; three grandchildren and their spouses: Kimberly and Lael Galaviz of San Antonio, TX, Jacob and Whitney Richardson of Tomball, TX, and Lily Richardson of Charlotte, VT; two great grandchildren: Kyara and Ayana Galaviz; one brother and his spouse: Edward and Katherine Bousquet of Austin, TX; and several nieces and nephews.
Jean was predeceased by her husband Berkeley, her parents, and her brother Henry Bousquet Jr.
Friends may call at the Brown-McClay Funeral Home in Vergennes on Monday, May 24th from 6 to 8 pm. A mask is required for services. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Jean’s memory to the Bixby Memorial Free Library, 258 Main Street, Vergennes VT 05491 or the Addison County Home Health and Hospice, PO Box 754, Middlebury, VT 05753.
Sorry to hear of your mother passing
To the Family and Friends of Jean Richardson,
It has been a long goodbye for all of us. I know that my much-loved Sister is in a happier place, taking another longer and pleasant journey. We all feel a sense of sorrow, balanced by the liberation of expressing our gratitude for the times Jean enlightened our lives. How we will always remember the smile on her face, as well as the joy that Jean had helping us in immeasurable ways.
My earliest recollection is of Jean, 8 years older, helping to take care of me. Mom, a nurse, worked nights and Dad, a police officer, worked long days. My Grandmother, who was in her 80s, was the primary care giver. Gramma was very strict, preferring that children should be seen and not heard. Sis would take me outside if the weather was good and play with me. When not able to go outside, Jean would retreat with me to the attic where I could play with old toys and she would read.
There are very clear memories of my sister taking me via long bus rides to Ethan Allen Park in Burlington. There we would play on swings, teeter totters, slides and have a lunch that Jean made. Once Jean had dressed me up as a cowboy complete with cap gun and old scout hat. She encouraged me to play in and around the tall stone observation tower, fighting off unknown foes. The same long bus route would take us to North Beach, swimming for Jean and toy boats for me in the shallow water.
Did I say that Jean liked to read? Of course, all of you know that. Jean would tell me that if I behaved during the week, on Saturday, she would take me to the Fletcher Free Library in Burlington. Sis helped me pick out books and check them out. Jean was my hero for developing my lifelong love of reading. My Sister would take me to local movie theaters for matinees. After one show, Jean asked me if I had enough money left to buy an ice cream cone. No, I sheepishly admitted that I had spent all but the bus fare home. As you have surmised, Jean bought me one.
My sister was my rock, mentor and confidant throughout the difficult adolescent years. In the Summer of 1961, Jean and Berkley invited me to help them drive from Vermont to Michigan. They had realized that neither school nor my parents had enlightened me about the facts of life. The knowledge I gained on that long car trip was immensely important. After returning from the Vietnam War, I was aimlessly drifting like a ship without a rudder. Thankfully, Jean told me “You are going to help us build our house in Vergennes.” I matured as a man with a more worldly understanding from all of our conversations during construction.
For those of you who know me, I owe a great debt of gratitude to my Sister who helped form the person I am today.
Jean, I love you and wanted everyone to know how much you meant to me, now and forever.
Eddie Bousquet
To All of the Richardson Family…..We are so sorry for your loss. May she rest in peace.
Always keep the memories close to your hearts.