JEAN SEAWARD Obituary

SEAWARD, Jean Beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother, and Community Leader Jean (Bedell) Seaward, age 97, of Littleton, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, in January, 2025. She was the beloved wife of the late Robert W. Seaward for 58 years. Jean was born in Lowell, MA, to Harold and Florence (Koford) Bedell. She grew up in Lowell, graduated from Lowell High School and later received a BA from Tufts University. Both Jean and Bob, were educators in the Concord-Carlisle Public School System. In 1957, combining their knowledge and expertise in summer camping with their experience in teaching and youth development, Jean and Bob purchased three parcels of pasture land and established Camp Nashoba on Fort Pond. Jean was the co-founder of Camp Nashoba Day, along with her late husband, Bob. She continued to direct Camp Nashoba with her daughters after Bob's passing in 2008. She had a number of interests and hobbies, gardening, reading, tennis, birding, exercising, walking, cross country and downhill skiing, ice skating, sailing, singing, dancing, dogs and horses. Jean was passionate about "the camp experience," and all that it stands for: leadership, compassion, team building, confidence building, positivity, fun, community and love of nature. "Miss Jean" instilled these values and many more in tens of thousands of young people over the last 67 years. She was a member of the following organizations, American Camp Association (New England), Massachusetts Camping Association, (Recipient of the Pioneers in Camping Award), Massachusetts Audubon Society and the Congregational Church of Littleton. Jean received the honor of a Rotary International "Paul Harris Award" from the Rotary Club of Littleton. She is survived by her three daughters, Marcia Marcantonio, and her husband, Joseph Marcantonio of Littleton, Janet Seaward, and her husband, Matthew Durkin of Littleton and Sarah Seaward of Littleton; as well as her three grandchildren, Christina Marcantonio of Boston, MA, Carolyn Marcantonio of Chicago, IL and Harrison Greene of Ithaca, N.Y. A camp scholarship fund has been established in Bob and Jean's memory for Camp Nashoba Day. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Robert and Jean Seaward campership. For online donations, http://www.acacamps.org/campership Arrangements under the care of Badger Funeral Home, LITTLETON Visiting Hours: Services for Jean will be private. A Life Celebration Home, Littleton. www.badgerfuneral.com

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Published by Boston Globe from Jan. 30 to Feb. 2, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for JEAN SEAWARD

3 Entries

David Boutin

May 11, 2025

Dear Marcia, Janet, Sarah,
Please accept my condolences for your Mom.
Miss Jean was so very caring and compassionate. Each Nashoba camper was unique to her. Each counselor appreciated Miss Jean's commitment to the Nashoba experience.
May Miss Jean rest in eternal peace.
With fond memories,
Sincerely,
Mr. Dave Boutin

Amanda (Keris) Stellhorn

February 10, 2025

Ms. Jean will be severely missed. Camp Nashoba, was such an integral part of my childhood from age 4 - 20. I entered as an Apache and I left as a full fledged counselor who taught sailing. Jean gave campers and counselors opportunities to learn new skills, find self confidence, and become independent thinkers. She always challenged me, and gave me opportunities that I am thankful for to this day. Being part of Nashoba Day, and Nashoba North helped to shape the adult I am today. She leaves behind a legacy that God willing, will live on for future generations.

With love and deepest sympathies too all the family, please know you all are in my thoughts and prayers as you go through this difficult time.

Julie and John Reece

January 31, 2025

Miss Jean was truly an amazing, inspirational force of life in a teeny, tiny frame. We remember fondly that she would visit camper tables at lunchtime to offer hummus and crackers, and she made the best salads for camp overnights that we´ve ever had. She spanned generations, serving as a second mom for every camper during the camp day. Her passing is an enormous loss and marks the end of an era. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Seaward and camp family.

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