Jean Francis Atwood

1923 - 2018

Jean Francis (Helm) (Attenborough) Atwood, formerly of East Hartford, CT, passed away on Monday, January 22, 2018 at Manatawny Manor in Pottstown, PA at age 94. She was born in East Hartford, Conn. on December 14, 1923, the daughter of the late William (Bing) and Ellen (Burnham) Helm. After graduating from East Hartford High School, Jean went on to Bryant College in Rhode Island where she graduated in 1942. Jean became “Mom” in January, 1947 with the birth of the first of four children. She graduated to “Nana” in 1969, “Nana Jean” (aka Great Grandma) in 1989, and to “Great-Great” in 2017. She loved us all to the end. Mom stayed at home to help raise the kids until the youngest was in high school, then re-entered the workforce as a bookkeeper for various small companies. Throughout this time, she was active and held a variety of positions in the regional Girl Scouts Council (we ate a lot of cookies), the DAR and in the First Congregational Church in East Hartford. She moved around a bit later in life, living in Glastonbury, CT, Lillian, AL, and then settling in Spring City, PA to be near her daughter, middle son and their families in 2002. Mom was active in her church there (homemade cookies every Sunday), the quilting club, and running the Chester County Food Bank until age began to catch up to her. She moved to Manatawny Manor in 2014. Her family wishes to express their thanks to all the staff members there for their excellent care of her in her last years. Mom’s high school and college yearbooks describe her as quiet and loving sports (played basketball at 5’2”). We knew her as active, spunky, practical and fun. Her friends knew they could count on her to step up and get the job done. She made great root beer, watermelon pickles and rhubarb pie, and she got her private pilot’s license in the early 1950’s. Quite the gal. She is survived by: her three sons, Bruce (Laura) (Cincinnati, OH) , Brian (Diane) (Phoenixville, PA), and Keith (Donna) Attenborough (Newburyport, MA); six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one great-great granddaughter, and a nephew, Gregory (Roxy) Helm. In addition to her parents, Mom was predeceased by her husband, Edwards Atwood; her daughter, Kay Attenborough Fox; her brother, John Helm; and her former husband, Robert Attenborough. Services will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jean Atwood’s name can be made to the Chester County Food Bank, 650 Pennsylvania Drive, Exton, PA 19341. Condolences may be offered by visiting www.PhoenixvilleFuneralHome.com. Arrangements are being handled by the Campbell-Ennis-Klotzbach Funeral Home, Inc., Phoenixville, PA.