Obituary of Jeannette R. Riddle

Jeannette (Robinson) Riddle, 84, a talented teacher, horticulturist, and craftsperson passed away surrounded by the love of her family on April 3, 2023 after living with Alzheimer's for several years. She was born February 6, 1939 in Waterville, Maine, the daughter of John E. and Dorothy (Mitchell) Robinson. Jean attended Palmer High School, Sargent College and Springfield College where she achieved her masters degree in Education. Jean lived in Wales, Mass. for 55 years where she and her husband, Jack raised their family. She cultivated gardens, and friendships, eager to share her practical, ecological, knowledge with family, friends and girl scouts. She was part of the fabric of the community, often baking pies and cookies to express thanks and condolence. She was a member of the First Congregational Church of Brimfield, the Wales Conservation Commission, and a trustee on the board at the Hitchcock Academy. She was passionate in her work teaching conservation at Tantasqua High School, as horticulturist at Old Sturbridge Village, and running her business, The Growing Place greenhouse in Wales. In her later years, she was a hospice volunteer in the surrounding communities. We greatly appreciate the kind attention that was given to her by caregivers, Anne King, Michael Skelly, and Laurie Paradis as well as Cooley Dickinson VNA & Hospice in her last days. A significant portion of her life was centered on her family cottage in New Brunswick Canada, where she spent long summers and made life-long friends. Jean leaves behind her husband of 60 years, John R. "Jack" Riddle as well as their three daughters, Lynn Riddle (Dave) Waller, Sue Riddle (Karl Phillips), and Diana Riddle, Jean's grandchildren, Isabel Jeannette Waller, Wyatt Owen Waller, Sawyer Riddle Phillips, Charles Emmett Waller, and Wills Riddle Phillips, and her sister, Donna Ruth Pappas. She is predeceased by her parents and her sister, Bonnie Lee Robinson. A graveside service to honor her life will be held at a green burial site at Wales Cemetery #4 on Laurel Hill Rd, Saturday, April 15th at 1pm. Beers & Story Palmer Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. Please visit http://www.beersandstory.com In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in her memory to The Alzheimer's Association at https://www.alz.org/?form=alz_donate, Cooley Dickinson VNA & Hospice at https://www.cooleydickinson.org/giving/vna-hospice-giving/, First Congregational Church of Brimfield https://brimfielducc.org/donate/, or an environmental organization of your choice.