Miss Jean M. Fecteau

Miss Jean M. Fecteau 64, of Salem, died unexpectedly February 21, 2012, at her home. Born in Salem, she was the daughter of the late Granlee and Louise (Dunn) Fecteau. She was raised and educated in Salem and was a graduate of Salem High School. Jean continued her education at Salem State College earning her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education. She furthered her studies at Suffolk University earning her Master's Degree in Education. Jean was a lifelong learner having earned a Masters of Arts Degree at Boston College and she had taken many courses in Advanced Theological Study at Boston College and Andover-Newton Theological School. She earned her Massachusetts State Teachers Degree and her Masters of Teaching through the Catholic Archdiocese of Boston. Jean had been employed as a Middle School Language Arts and English/Reading teacher in the City of Salem School System and at Salem High School for many years. More recently she was a Research Interviewer at Boston College and was the ARISE Coordinator at Sacred Heart Parish in Manchester-by-the Sea. She was a Pastoral Consultant at Sacred Heart Church in Manchester, at St. John the Baptist Church in Essex and at St. Ann's Church in Peabody. She volunteered much of her time to the Catholic Church having been instrumental in the Liturgy Planning for parish wide worship and the formation of Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers and Pastoral Planning for many of the churches throughout the Archdiocese of Boston. She was the former Director of Worship at St. Brigid's Church in South Boston, the RCIA Director at the Immaculate Conception Church in Everett, she was a Pastoral Associate at Ste. Anne's Church in Salem, she was the Religious Education Director at St Joseph's Church in Lynn and was the former Religious Education Coordinator at St. Augustine's Church in South Boston. Currently Jean was employed as the Activities Director at Regina Cleary Residence for Priests in Cambridge. Dedicating her life to her faith, Miss Fecteau spent her time spreading the word of the Lord to others through Diocesan Workshops/Congresses, the Ignatian Annotation Retreats, as a member of the National Catholic Educators Association and as an Associate of the Sisters of Notre Dame. Through her many good works, Jean touched the lives of so many people in need. From spending time with retired Priests or donating a home for a needy Haitian family, Jean truly lived her life to help others. She was a true disciple of the Lord, which is evident through her words, deeds and life's work. Miss Fecteau loved to travel with her mother spending time throughout the northeast visiting Newport, R.I., Vermont and other scenic places. She was a devoted daughter taking care of her mother throughout her over ninety years of life, residing together on Grant Road in Salem. Whether it was a kind note or card, a monetary donation, her guidance through religious education or through a quiet prayer, Jean always put others needs ahead of her own. Her kind and gentle manner was reflected in every aspect of her daily life. Her spirit and good works live on through all of the people she helped throughout her life. Jean is survived by her cousins, Henry J. O'Donnell III and his wife Diane of Salem, M.J. Fowler of Sunderland, Thomas A. O'Donnell of Salem, Thomas Dunn of Wakefield and John Dunn of Salem, additional family and many dear friends who will truly miss her kind, gentle nature and spirit. ARRANGEMENTS: Her funeral Mass will be held in Ste. Anne's Church, Jefferson Ave, Salem, Monday, February 27th at 11 A.M. Relatives and friends invited. Burial in St. Mary's Cemetery, Salem is private. Visiting hours kindly omitted. Assisting the family with the arrangements is The O'Donnell Funeral Home 46 Washington Sq., (at Salem Common) Salem. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Jean's memory to the Fecteau Piano Fund c/o the Immaculate Conception Church, 489 Broadway St., Everett, MA 02149. To share a memory or offer a condolence please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com