A joyful person who found the good in everyone
NORTH READING — M. Jean Lastinger, 89, of North Reading, passed away at her home, surrounded by her family, on Monday, January 9, 2023.
Born in Winchester, Mass., on May 23, 1933, she was the daughter of the late Arthur and Helen F. (MacKay) Smith. She was a lifelong resident of North Reading. Jean attended North Reading schools and was a graduate of Reading Memorial High School. She was a member of the Union Congregational Church.
She worked as a Mortgage Financial Assistant for the John Hancock Life Insurance Company in Wakefield, E.I. and S. Industries in Stoneham, and the Abbott Shoe Store in North Reading.
Jean always made everyone feel welcome. She always greeted with a hug and a smile. Then came the kind words and laughter sharing her joy for life. She liked spending time with family and friends. She loved her 14-acre farm in North Reading, spending many hours with horses, steer, bunnies, cats, dogs and Donald the goat. Jean loved to sing, dance, play the piano or guitar. She loved hiking at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester with her family, special Dunkin’ morning coffee time with friends and yearly New Year’s Eve fun in New Hampshire with the Elvis impersonator.
She enjoyed many days at sporting events supporting her grandchildren whenever possible. Regardless of her disease, her grandchildren were the spark in her eye and smile on her face. She especially loved her ice cream at Richardson’s. She always found the good in everyone.
Family members include her loving daughters, Brenda Callagy and her companion Thoma Grzejka of North Reading, Patti Lessard and former husband James of Stoneham, and Susan Lastinger and her companion Brian Murray of Manchester, N.H.; her brother, William Smith (little brother, 87) of North Reading and his former wife Linda Smith; six grandchildren, Benjamin and Jess Hodgkins, Danielle and her husband Benjamin Gilde, Amber and her husband James Gardner, Gerry Callagy, Alexa and her husband Adam Jaillet and Tori and her husband David Kottwitz; 10 great-grandchildren, Adelynn, Isaac and Eliana Gilde, Abigail, Jacob and Luke Gardner, Austin J., and Bryson R. Lessard, Charliee R. Jaillet and Athena R. Lessard-Kottwitz.
Her funeral was held on Saturday, January 14 at the Union Congregational Church, 148 Haverhill St., North Reading. Visitation was held on Friday, January 13 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St., North Reading. Interment was in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org) or to the National Wildlife Federation (support.nwf.org). To leave an online message of condolence visit www.croswellfuneralhome.com.
