“The sea does not reward those who are too anxious, too greedy, or too impatient. To dig for treasures shows not only impatience and greed, but a lack of faith. Patience, patience, patience, is what the sea teaches. Patience and faith. One should lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach – waiting for a gift from the sea.”
Anne Morrow Lindberg
Hampton, N.H. – Jean E. (Wentworth) Dezarn of Hampton, NH, passed away Thursday, June 2. Born on January 28, 1927 in Marlborough, MA, Jean was the eldest daughter of the late William Wentworth and Gladys (Miller) Wentworth Walker. Jean was predeceased by her husband, Donald Dezarn, who met her when she worked as an aid at Cushing Hospital in Framingham and where Don was being treated for injuries sustained in the Philippines during WWII. She was also predeceased by her beloved grandson, Mark Dezarn, and her steadfast traveling companion, Bob Wilbur, with whom she saw the world.
Jean was a longtime resident of Fayville, MA and worked for many years at Ken’s Steak House in Framingham where she made many life-long friends. In 1994, she moved to Hampton, NH, to fulfill her dream of living by the ocean. She loved everything the ocean environment offered her including walking the beach, lighthouses and the salt marsh which her first home in Hampton overlooked. She furthered her love of the ocean by participating in the UNH Marine Docent Program. Teaching children about all the things that can be found in a tide pool brought her great joy. She was also a member of the Hampton Historical Society and the Hampton Walkers. She volunteered with the International Medical Equipment Collaborative (IMEC) and Transportation Assistance for Seacoast Citizens (TASC) providing rides to those who needed transportation to appointments.
Jean is survived by her son, Alan Dezarn and his wife Alexis of Sahuarita, AZ and her daughter, Chris Dezarn-O’Hare and her husband, Greg of Fremont, NH; her sisters, Norma Thompson and Carol Doyle, as well as niece Julie Geller and her husband, Jon and nephew Robert Thompson and his husband Paul, all of Westboro, MA, and niece Ann Holm and her husband, Joe, of Grafton, MA.
Jean was well known for her quiet and kind demeanor, and living a life of grace and independence. Despite Dylan Thomas’ suggestion of “Do not go gentle into that good night,” Jean left us with her quiet and grace intact.
In honor of her memory, donations can be made to The Nature Conservancy, 22 Bridge Street, 4th floor, Concord, NH 03301 or Southeast Land Trust of New Hampshire (SELT), 247 North River Road, Epping, NH 03042.
