Jean A. Folsom

Jean Astrup Folsom, 94, passed away on October 29th, 2026. Before winter’s onset, during a spate of perfect fall days, she departed quietly. It was just the kind of peaceful transition she had hoped for.

Born in Olympia, Washington on August 5, 1932, she was the only daughter of Katherine and Bert C. Astrup, sister of the late Bert R. Astrup, and loving wife of the late Daniel Parkhurst Folsom. She is survived by her three children, Lyn McMahon, Kit Dunbar, Jon Folsom and his wife, Martha. Her beloved grandsons, Parker and Joseph Dunbar were her joy.

Jean moved frequently throughout her life, which surely contributed to her friendly attitude and self-reliance. Well educated and confident, she graduated from Bayside High School in Queens, New York, beside her future husband, Dan. She then earned an associate degree from Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri and completed her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts.

Jean embraced life. She set high standards for herself and her family. While she was a purposeful stay-at-home mother of three, she was never idle and encouraged her children to follow their dreams. Tragically, Dan, her husband and partner, passed away at 40 with brain cancer.

Jean worked for years teaching young children. Then she became the aid to a special needs student, who she assisted in a mainstreaming program, guiding him from the elementary level through 10th grade. Later she taught English as a second language.

Jean was always strong in her Christian convictions. She was an organizer and planner who lived by her weekly schedules. She advocated such old school ideas as practicing good manners and always looking presentable. She loved keeping up with her extended family and friends, preferring her handwritten letters to texts and emails – and always kept a clean house.

Retiring to Massachusetts to be closer to her eldest children, Jean moved to Westbrook Crossing in Shrewsbury, making new friends and creating a community. At 90, she decided to move to The Highlands in Westborough to enjoy more activities and interaction with her peers .

A private celebration of Jean's life will be held by her family. To honor Jean’s memory, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Rose Monahan Hospice Home at 10 Judith Road, Worcester, MA 01602 who provided kind, thoughtful, and compassionate care in her last days.