Her parents, Linwood and Nelda (Caldwell) Gorges, welcomed their daughter into the world on December 9, 1938, in Keene, NH. Jean attended Marlow and Stoddard, NH grammar schools, and was a 1956 graduate of Keene High School.
Jean married the love of her life, James R. Lake of Gilsum, NH, on July 26, 1958, in the Marlow Methodist Church. They spent sixty-one wonderful years together, raising a family and creating many special memories until Jim’s passing on February 10, 2020.
Jean worked at the National Grange Mutual Insurance Company in Keene during and after high school for a few years. In the early 1960’s she worked at the Keene Police Department.
In 1963, she and her husband became co-owners of S&J Auto Parts, and in the 1970’s, she started working as the bookkeeper there, part-time.
Jean was an active member of the United Church of Christ in Keene, serving as a coordinator of the Circle of Caring, Hospitality, and as chairperson of the receptions with the Women’s Fellowship. She also served as Deacon at the church for many years.
Active in her community, Jean served on the Board of Directors for the Keene Day Care Center in the 1980’s. She was also an active member of the Keene High School Class Reunion Committee.
Jean loved cooking for family and friends, especially making donuts for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved being with her family and listening to their stories of their adventures and travels. Jean’s whole world centered on her family.
Travel was another joy in her life. She was blessed to have travelled to many places including San Francisco, San Diego, the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Santa Fe, Acapulco Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Aruba, Canada, Paris, England, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, just to name a few. She and James wintered in Florida for a number of years at the Marco Shores Estates in Naples.
Jean will be greatly missed by many, especially her children, Randy Lake and his wife, Barbara, Rhonda Lake and her husband, Marc Ducharme, Jennifer Rivera and her husband, Eli, all of Keene; her grandchildren, Matthew Lake and his wife, Melissa, Bryan Lake, Casey Rivera, Ryan Rivera, Dayna Rivera, Marlee Glover, Phillip Glover and his wife, Dianne, Bato Jovic, Seka Harrell, Ryan Ducharme and his wife, Nicole, Matt Ducharme and his wife, Sara, Cory Ducharme and his wife, Brittany, Katie Day and her husband, Jeff; and many great-grandchildren. Jean is also survived by a brother, Richard Gorges and his partner, Shirley Lambert of Florida; a sister, Maryjane Burns of Keene; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members. Jean was predeceased by her husband, and a son, David A. Lake in 1959.
A graveside service and celebration of Jean’s life will be held in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, for those who wish, donations may be made in Jean’s memory to the Norris Cotton Cancer Center Kingsbury Pavilion, c/o Cheshire Health Foundation, 580 Court Street, Keene, NH 03431; or to the UCC Women’s Fellowship, c/o the United Church of Christ, 23 Central Square, Keene, NH 03431.
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