Jean Elizabeth Newcombe

She was born on September 28, 1928 in North Andover, Massachusetts. Her mother, Elizabeth (White) Bower, was a kindergarten teacher. Her father, Ernest F. Bower, was a textile mill worker who became well known for his talent with dyes and color matching. The family moved frequently during Jean’s early years as Mr. Bower took positions at fabric mills from South Carolina to Maine, including Goodall-Sanford Mills which produced the plush upholstery used in Pullman railroad cars.

The family eventually settled in Keene, NH where Mr. Bower was employed as a superintendent at the Faulkner and Colony Mill. Jean enrolled at Central Jr. High School and then attended Keene High School, where she studied art, sang in the A Cappella Choir, and played drums in the Band. In her senior year, she was selected for both the All State and All New England chorus. Jean graduated with the class of 1946. Her Salmagundi yearbook byline notes that “A sunny disposition is a treasure.”

Jean’s family became active parishioners at St. James Episcopal Church after settling in Keene. Jean sang alto in the choir for many years, beginning at age 14, and was active in the youth group. During a get- together with the Baptist youth group when she was 15, Jean met Ernest E. Newcombe Jr. (“Newk”). They became steady sweethearts until Newk’s graduation and Navy enlistment in 1945.

Jean enrolled as an art student at Boston University in 1947 after Newk had returned from the Pacific and started college, but left the following year when Newk proposed – after driving to Jamestown, NY to receive permission from Jean’s father.

Jean and Newk were married at St. James Church on June 6, 1948. Following a short honeymoon in Quebec City and the wedding of Jean’s older brother John Bower to Ellie Cook, the couple loaded up their best man Len Farina’s truck for the move to Philadelphia, where Newk resumed his studies at the University of Pennsylvania. While Newk was attending classes, Jean worked as an assistant in the OB/GYN Dept. of the University hospital, where their first son was born in 1949.

Following Newk’s graduation in 1950, the couple and their baby moved back to Keene. The family grew rapidly during the 1950’s with the birth of two more sons and a daughter, followed by another daughter in 1963. Jean was dedicated to supporting and encouraging the many activities of her children as they grew up, serving with the Tilden School PTA, as a den mother for Cub Scout Pack 18, and later as a Keene Middle School band booster. Jean was an active volunteer with the Keene Lions Club, assisting for many years with the Club’s early comedy and musical productions. Jean became interested in the foreign exchange programs of the Experiment in International Living in 1966, and her family hosted students from Morocco, France and England during the next three summers. She and Newk also helped organize an outbound group of area high school students in 1969.

Jean loved holidays, birthdays, and family occasions of all kinds. Every party and event was special and memorable thanks to her excitement, special themes, and artistic creations. Jean also lent her energy and creative talents to her church, leading her dedicated group of volunteers to plan, design, and organize the most amazing Christmas Bazaars ever seen.

When her children were older, Jean joined the staff of Keene Middle School where she worked as an assistant to the art teacher. During those years Jean learned the techniques for clay sculpture and glazing. Before long, Jean and Newk had built a clay studio in their home that quickly expanded into a commercial-scale operation. Jean perfected her art and became a juried member of the League of NH Craftsmen, selling clay ornaments and jewelry at the annual Sunapee craft fair for a number of years. Later, after moving to a smaller home and dismantling her clay operation, Jean began hand painting glass ornaments. Her colorful, meticulously detailed designs and themes from every season and holiday are unique works of art treasured by family members who always looked forward to receiving their personalized ornaments every Christmas and birthday, and by the many friends who purchased Jean’s ornaments at craft fairs and at the St. James Bazaar.

In her spare moments, Jean enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, music, and painting. She loved her summer vacations on Cape Cod, a tradition that started in high school with Newk’s family and continued until her final years. Most of all, she loved the frequent visits by members of her ever-expanding family, holding the new babies, and the chaos of the extended family’s Christmas and birthday parties.

Jean is survived by her husband of 68 years, Ernest E. Newcombe, Jr.; by her 5 children and spouses: James E. Newcombe and wife Cynthia of Nelson; Thomas B. Newcombe and wife Carol of Nelson; John T. Newcombe and wife Jennie of Keene; Susan J. Downing and husband Skip of Lebanon, NH; and Jennifer A. Brown and husband Ty of Swanzey; and by 17 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren (with 2 more on the way); many nieces, nephews, and cousins; and by her brother John W. Bower of Brewster, Massachusetts.

There are no calling hours. Friends are invited to join the family for a funeral service in celebration of Jean’s life at St. James Episcopal Church, 44 West St. in Keene, on Saturday, August 20th, at 10:00. A reception will follow in the church common room. In lieu of flowers, friends may make a memorial donation in Jean’s name to Home Healthcare Hospice & Community Services, 312 Marlboro St., Keene, NH 03431, or to the Special Activities Fund of Applewood Care and Rehabilitation Center, 8 Snow Rd., Winchester NH 03470.