Jeanne Alice Dexter

1946 - 2024

Jeanne Alice Dexter
June 14, 1946 - November 2, 2024
Jeanne Alice Dexter was born on June 14, 1946, in Elizabeth, New Jersey. She grew up in Cranford, New Jersey, and graduated from Cranford High School in 1960. Jeanne was a lifelong painter, artist, and educator who trained for over a decade at the Art Students League in New York City under her mentor, American painter Frank Herbert Mason.
Jeanne later moved to Connecticut, first settling in Bridgewater and then establishing a permanent home for herself and her family in Woodbury, in the village of Hotchkissville. She was deeply involved with Washington Montessori School in New Preston, first as a parent and board member, then as the school's art director and teacher from 1984 until her retirement in 2013. Her passion for art and commitment to education made her a beloved figure in the school community.
Summers in Jeanne's youth were spent at her two favorite places: Rowley Shore, Gloucester, Massachusetts, at her maternal grandfather's home, and Weld, Maine, on the shores of Lake Webb. Her father worked at Camp Kawanhee, a nearby boys' camp, while Jeanne and her mother stayed in a cabin by the Inn Beach. She continued to visit Weld and the same cabin every year from 1953 until her final visit in 2024, cherishing the natural beauty and returning cast of characters each summer brought.
Jeanne Dexter's artistic legacy is a testament to her dedication to the classical techniques imparted by her mentor, Frank Mason. Guided by Mason's mastery of light, color, and form, Jeanne developed her own style that captured the natural beauty of New England through landscapes inspired by her travels across the region and her unique eye for subject and composition. Her works evoke the serene and timeless qualities of the countryside she cherished, each scene imbued with careful attention to light and detail. She also created intimate portraits of family members, blending classical techniques with personal warmth. In the early 2000s, Jeanne returned to Mason's Vermont landscape class, embracing a final opportunity to study with him.
Jeanne is survived by her husband of 39 years, Maurice Convard; her sons Dexter, Ted, and Timothy, along with their spouses, Dannel Cosford, Emilia Deimezis, and Miriam Ewers. She is also survived by her daughter, Morgan Mays, and her husband, Daryl; her brother, Stephen Dexter, and his wife, Lynn; and her nephew, Jason Dexter, and his wife, Heather. Jeanne's extended family includes nephews Hugo, Larkin, and George DeVoe, as well as her grandchildren, Amber DeVoe, Zebadiah DeVoe, Quin DeVoe, Zoe DeVoe, Tahleb DeVoe, and Kingston DeVoe. Jeanne was loved and will be missed by Maurice's siblings, Stephen, Frank, Alan, Paul, Nancy, Debbie, and Aline, the latter two of whom shared many cherished family occasions over the years.
In honor of Jeanne's artistic legacy, an exhibit of her work will be displayed at the Kent Falls Brewery taproom from November 21 through December. A special reception to celebrate her life and art will be held on November 23. Please join us from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. in a joyous celebration of her paintings, reflecting on the beauty she brought into the world. As the evening continues from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., we'll share memories, stories, and photos, celebrating the vibrant life behind her remarkable work. All are welcome. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Woodbury Ambulance Association (P.O. Box 581 Woodbury, CT 06798).
To leave an online condolence, please visit munsonloveterefuneralhome.com.