Longtime Williamstown resident, Jean Walden passed away on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at Kimball Farms, a rehab center in Lenox, MA following a courageous fight with pancreatic cancer. She had beaten lung cancer twice, but after fourteen years the lung cancer had also returned.

Jean was foremost an English teacher/ professor. She taught at Mt. Greylock and ended her career at Berkshire Community College where she taught for more than 30 years. She was a gifted teacher who truly cared about her students’ education. To this day, former students remember her legacy of striving for excellence and her love of literature.

Jean had many health challenges throughout her life, but she handled them all with dignity and perseverance. And as Jean aged, she walked constantly. She was very conscious of her health and had a trainer three times a week. She practiced yoga and encouraged individuals of all ages to try it. Her tastes in music were varied, ranging from classical to country. Her love of art and literature was a daily source of joy and enrichment. Jean enjoyed life!

Jean’s life was an example of kindness and love. She was very social and had many friends, each knowing they were her “best” friend. She was always “present” when having a conversation, taking the time to get to know each person on a deep level, to learn about their families, their interests. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered by the lives she touched during her 79 years.

Jean loved her sister Diane and her brother-in-law Hal Brierley of Dallas, TX. She was forever playing the role of the big sister and was extremely protective of her little sister. She was predeceased by her parents, Alona Doyle Walden and J. Fred Walden, Jr..

A Memorial Service for Jean will be held on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at 2:00 PM at Saints Patrick & Raphael Church, 63 Southworth Street, Williamstown, MA. Father John P. McDonagh will be officiating. A reception will follow the service.