Jean Holmes Duffett, a resident of Sarasota, Florida passed away peacefully on January 1st. 2026 after a brief illness.
Jean was born May 14, 1930 to Wayne and Marion (Herrick) Holmes of Henniker, New Hampshire. She happily grew up in small-town Henniker with her two beloved sisters, Shirley and Janet. Jean graduated from Henniker High School in 1948 with a class of 10 participating in many local activities. Summers were spent at the family lake cottage on Lake Massasecum in Bradford, NH. Jean graduated from Colby Junior College in 1950 where her two sisters also attended. Always a tomboy Jean enjoyed playing sports her entire life, playing tennis and golf as an adult. She also loved to play baseball as a youth, then as a mother with her children, which moved on to wiffle ball once she became a grandmother. Jean was a great baker and loved to make gifts of her delicious Newfy bread and rolls, much requested "Nuts & Bolts", and signature apple pie for family and friends.
Jean met her life's love John C. Duffett on a blind date organized by mutual friends. Jean and John spent their courtship by airmail when he was with the Air Force stationed on Okinawa in the Pacific. They were married in 1953 at her parents' home in Henniker. John's career took them from Bedford NH, to Keene NH, and back to Bedford NH, as John rose to become CEO of Public Service of New Hampshire, now Eversource. After raising her three children Jean served a term as a New Hampshire State Legislator in the1970's.
Once retired their summers were spent on Lake Massasecum and their winters at their place on Siesta Key in Florida, both a hub for entertaining friends and family. Jean was always warm and kind to everyone she met.
Jean was predeceased by her adored husband John of 62 years and her sister Shirley Dunlap. Jean leaves behind three children, Joanie (Dick) Bennett of Manchester, NH, Steve (Paulette) Duffett of Dover, MA, and Linda (John) DeMeo of Siesta Key, FL. She also leaves six grandchildren John (GiGi) Bennett, Robert Bennett, Mike (Kelsy) DeMeo, Steve (Kasey) DeMeo, Carlton (Mariah) Duffett and Danielle Duffett. Jean also leaves seven great-grandchildren, with one more on the way in the Spring. She also leaves her sister Janet Thompson of Groton, MA as well as many nieces and nephews.
Jean will join her husband John at the Henniker Cemetery for a private family service at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the Henniker Historical Society, PO Box 674, Henniker, NH 03242, https://www.hennikerhistory.org/
Jean was born May 14, 1930 to Wayne and Marion (Herrick) Holmes of Henniker, New Hampshire. She happily grew up in small-town Henniker with her two beloved sisters, Shirley and Janet. Jean graduated from Henniker High School in 1948 with a class of 10 participating in many local activities. Summers were spent at the family lake cottage on Lake Massasecum in Bradford, NH. Jean graduated from Colby Junior College in 1950 where her two sisters also attended. Always a tomboy Jean enjoyed playing sports her entire life, playing tennis and golf as an adult. She also loved to play baseball as a youth, then as a mother with her children, which moved on to wiffle ball once she became a grandmother. Jean was a great baker and loved to make gifts of her delicious Newfy bread and rolls, much requested "Nuts & Bolts", and signature apple pie for family and friends.
Jean met her life's love John C. Duffett on a blind date organized by mutual friends. Jean and John spent their courtship by airmail when he was with the Air Force stationed on Okinawa in the Pacific. They were married in 1953 at her parents' home in Henniker. John's career took them from Bedford NH, to Keene NH, and back to Bedford NH, as John rose to become CEO of Public Service of New Hampshire, now Eversource. After raising her three children Jean served a term as a New Hampshire State Legislator in the1970's.
Once retired their summers were spent on Lake Massasecum and their winters at their place on Siesta Key in Florida, both a hub for entertaining friends and family. Jean was always warm and kind to everyone she met.
Jean was predeceased by her adored husband John of 62 years and her sister Shirley Dunlap. Jean leaves behind three children, Joanie (Dick) Bennett of Manchester, NH, Steve (Paulette) Duffett of Dover, MA, and Linda (John) DeMeo of Siesta Key, FL. She also leaves six grandchildren John (GiGi) Bennett, Robert Bennett, Mike (Kelsy) DeMeo, Steve (Kasey) DeMeo, Carlton (Mariah) Duffett and Danielle Duffett. Jean also leaves seven great-grandchildren, with one more on the way in the Spring. She also leaves her sister Janet Thompson of Groton, MA as well as many nieces and nephews.
Jean will join her husband John at the Henniker Cemetery for a private family service at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the Henniker Historical Society, PO Box 674, Henniker, NH 03242, https://www.hennikerhistory.org/
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