Jean L. (Lacroix) Green, 91, died January 13, 2016, at home with family, after a lengthy struggle with Alzheimer’s disease.

The daughter of the late Donald (Pop) and Edith Lacroix, Jean was born and grew up in Amherst, graduating from Amherst High School in 1942.   She attended the Northampton Commercial College and started working with her mother as a secretary at the Registrar’s Office of the Massachusetts State College in 1943.  Jean retired in 1984 as the Head Clerk in the Admissions Office of the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.  She thoroughly loved her job, as it involved constant contact with students and staff from all departments. Over the years, many people told her son and daughter-in-law that Jean was very popular and considered an institution at UMass.

Jean lived in Hadley during the 1950’s and early 1960’s, when she also worked at the former Johnny Green’s Blue Eagle Inn, which was owned and operated by her father-in-law.  From 1965 to 2008, she lived in Belchertown.

Jean spent much of her retirement taking care of her late husband, John C. (Chet) Green, who was a disabled World War II veteran she married in 1949.  Chet passed away in 2010.  They loved to vacation regularly on the coast of Maine.  She also enjoyed picking up her grandson Jarrad when he was young and attending The Common School in Amherst, and transporting him to his various sports and arts activities after school.  Her vital role in helping raise Jarrad was of immeasurable assistance to his parents.

Jean leaves behind her son, Rick and daughter-in-law, Laura of Amherst, with whom she lived since 2008; her grandson, Jarrad of New York City; her sister-in-law, Elizabeth McKenney and her husband Donald of Westmoreland, New Hampshire; and their sons Peter of Cape Cod and David of Montague.  Jean was predeceased by her sister-in-law, Marion Anderson and her husband Clint, formerly of Amherst.

Jean was lovingly cared for in her declining years primarily by her daughter-in-law Laura.  The many sacrifices she made to make Jean as comfortable as possible are very much appreciated by the family.  We would also like to thank the Cooley Dickinson VNA & Hospice for the excellent services they provided Jean.

There will be no public service.  Donations in memory of Jean may be made to the Cooley Dickinson VNA & Hospice, at P.O. Box 329, Northampton, MA 01061-9935.