Jean Baldwin, 81
WEST STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. — Jean Baldwin, 81, of West Center Road died early Thursday morning, March 17, 2005, at Kimball Farms in Lenox, where she had resided for three months. She had resided at Melbourne Place in Pittsfield for three years before moving to Kimball Farms.
Born in New York City on Sept. 26, 1923, daughter of Henry W. and Marjorie Olcott Ford, her family bought the Hillcrest Farm on Prospect Hill in Stockbridge in 1934. She attended the former Williams High School and graduated from the former Northfield Academy in 1941.
She earned a bachelor's degree in physical education from Skidmore College in Saratoga, N.Y., in 1945. Later, she earned a master's degree from Springfield College and also worked toward her doctorate in education.
In 1966, Mrs. Baldwin became employed by the former Williams High School and later became head of the physical education department at Monument Mountain Regional High School, retiring in 1984. While head of the department, she revamped the department to stress lifetime fitness.
She and her husband, Arthur W. Baldwin Jr., operated a bed and breakfast on the family farm for more than 38 years. Earlier, she had worked at the former Fox Hollow School in Stockbridge and the White Plains (N.Y.) Hospital until 1947.
She also worked at the family hardware store, A.W. Baldwin & Son, for the Norman Rockwell Museum and for Wards Nursery in Great Barrington. For several years she owned and operated a variety store, Depot East, in West Stockbridge until it closed in the 1990s.
An active member of the community, she did volunteer work for HospiceCare in the Berkshires and the annual Berkshire Crafts Fair, was a member of the West Stockbridge EMTs and was also active in the Community Health Program and the West Stockbridge Congregational Church.
Along with her generosity, Mrs. Baldwin was also known for her inherited and marvelous dry sense of humor. She always tried to make everyone's day a bit brighter. Despite the number of activities Jean was involved in, she made it a priority to spend time and care for her family and friends.
She and her husband would have celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary on June 1. They were married in 1947 at the 1st Congregational Church.
Besides her husband, she leaves four daughters, Marjorie Baldwin of Richmond, Linda Coturri and her husband, Anthony, of Glen Ellen, Calif., Judith Stafford of Great Barrington and Virginia Casey and her husband, William, of West Stockbridge; two sons, Arthur Baldwin III and his wife, Kate, of Richmond and Henry Baldwin and his wife, Lisa, of West Stockbridge; 17 grandchildren, John and Alexander Mullen, Niccolo and Gianina Coturri, Duncan and Meredith Stafford, Matthew, Tobias, Seth, Abiah, Elias and Ella Casey, Nigel Baldwin, and Corey, Riley, Keegan and Robert Baldwin; six great-grandchildren, Madison Mullen, Eleana Casey, Ashton, Aiden and Declan Casey and Jaxon Casey, and her beloved German shepherd, Kizzy.
She was predeceased by two brothers, Henry Ford and Clement Ford.
FUNERAL NOTICE — Services for Mrs. Baldwin will be conducted by Pastor Keith Lawrence on Tuesday, March 22, at 11 at FINNERTY & STEVENS FUNERAL HOME in Great Barrington. The family will receive friends on Monday, March 21, from 4 to 7 at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association through the funeral home, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. Remembrances, memories and reflections may be sent to the family through www.finnertyandstevens.com..