Jean S Kowalewicz

Jean S. (Handy) Kowalewicz, 73, passed away peacefully in her residence, the home she grew up in at 11 Banner Road, Gardner on Thursday, August 24, 2017, surrounded by her family, following a courageous battle with cancer.
Jean was born in Athol on November 19, 1943, the daughter of the late Walter E. and Genevieve (Lyons) Handy. Her parents also passed away in the family home they built on 11 Banner Road.
She graduated from Gardner High School of Gardner with the Class of 1962. In 1963, Jean attended John Robert Powers Modeling School of Boston, and graduated from Robie Secretarial School of Boston. She attended Mount Wachusett Community College of Gardner from 1982 through 1986, and received her Associate's Degree in Business Technology in 1985, her Associate's Degree in Executive Secretarial in 1986, and received a Certificate in Word Processing in 1985.
Jean spent over a decade working with Veterans at the Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center in Gardner. Her last position before retiring in 2005 was working the homeless at Our Father's House, Inc. of Fitchburg as an Administrative Assistant. After her passing, she continued giving the 'gift of giving' by donating her body to UMASS Memorial Medical School.
Jean was a member of Holy Spirit Church of Gardner. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Post 129 of Gardner, Maine Maritime Museum, New England Historic Genealogical Society of Boston and Maine, U.S. Lighthouse Society, National Society for the Preservation of Covered Bridges, Inc., National Audubon Society, and the American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Greater Gardner.
Jean enjoyed going on adventures with her husband Michael. She treasured spending time with her three daughters, brother, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, best friend/cousin Patricia, and extended family and friends. She enjoyed visiting the ocean and lighthouses, spending time at Crafts Inn in Wilmington, VT, scrapbooking, attending church, history, collecting and reading genealogy, covered bridges, visiting Maine, the wonders of nature, her weekly hairstyling appointments, her weekly card game and bird watching. She saw everything as if she was seeing it for the first time.
She leaves her husband and soulmate of twelve years, Michael Kowalewicz of Gardner; three beloved daughters, Robin Puzo and her life partner, Brendan Lynch of Worcester, Tyyra-Lynn Foster of Gardner, and Rhonda Rushford and her life partner Kevin Eaton Gardner; grandchildren, Angela Jean-Marie Puzo of Gardner, Ryan Lynch and his best friend, Nadgalyn Campudoni of Worcester, Nathan Foster and his wife Jacqueline of Colonial Heights, VA, Amanda Foresman and her husband Ross of Westminster, Keegan Lynch of Worcester, Brandon Boudreau and his wife Paige of Williamsburg, VA, Nicholas Foster and his fiancé Sophia DiDonna of Hubbardston, Derrick McConnell II of Gardner and his girlfriend Brooke LaPlante of Westminster and Tiffany Foster of St. Petersburg, FL; great-grandchildren, Vincent (Vinchetta), Aryah-Rose, Sophia, Owen, Jordyn, Aiden, Talon, Nathan Gregory and Skylee; brother, Bruce Handy of Templeton; nephew Dain Handy of Royalston; niece, Dale-Christine Coyle of Ridgefield, WA; cousin and best friend, Patricia Eye of Maine; special extended family members, Lorraine Hartwell of Worcester; Sundra & Gary Bourgeois of Gardner, Cheryl Smith of Gardner, Wayne Martin of Phillipston, Dan Kelley of Gardner, Normand Nadeau of Gardner, Shannon Henderson of Tampa, FL, Rochelle Carrier-Ellison of Libertyville, Iowa, Heather Dube of Winchendon, Denise Woodward of Templeton, the Legault family of Gardner, and the Kulczyk family of Gardner.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, September 2nd from the Boucher Funeral Home, Inc., 110 Nichols Street, Gardner with a Mass at 11:00 a.m. in Holy Spirit Church, 50 Lovewell Street, Gardner. Burial will be in Wildwood Cemetery of Gardner at a later date.
A calling hour will be held Saturday, September 2nd from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, Gardner Relay for Life, 43 Nagog Park, Suite 110, Acton, MA 01720. Please reference in memory of Jean Kowalewicz - Team: "Kindred Hope for a Cure".

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