Amherst, Jeanne Adams was born May 5^th, 1935 in Quincy, Massachusetts to Richard F. & Myrtle M. Purnell.   Jeanne spent most of her childhood growing up in Amherst, Massachusetts.  She graduated from Amherst High School in 1953 and participated as a majorette, which she really enjoyed.    Soon after high school graduation, she attended nursing school in Westfield, Massachusetts where she completed her LPN degree and then moved to Alexandria, Virginia where she earned her degree as a registered nurse.  Upon completion of nursing school, Jeanne moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota and joined Northwest Orient Airlines as a stewardess.  She later married William (Bill) Saxon who was a pilot with Northwest Orient Airlines.   Bill and Jeanne had 4 sons (William, Robert, Thomas, and Mark).  Jeanne left her position at Northwest Orient Airlines to raise her children and pursue her nursing career.  After leaving the Airline Jeanne moved her family to a farm in Deerwood Minnesota and in 1972 Jeanne moved her sons to Garfield, Minnesota where she raised her children and continued her nursing career.  After her sons had all grown and gone their way in life, Jeanne would spend her winters working as a nurse in Florida and California as she loved spending her free time enjoying the sun and beach.  Jeanne moved to Riverside, California in October of 2015 where she spent the remainder of her days relaxing on her patio and enjoying the California sunshine with best friend and companion dog Anna until she passed away peacefully in her sleep.  Jeanne was known for her sense of humor, and was never at a loss for a witty comment or funny story.    She loved animals (especially her dogs and cats) and would spend countless hours watching the deer and birds outside her window on her farm in Minnesota. Jeanne took great pride in her careers, her children and grandchildren and great grandchildren and remained fiercely dedicated to all of them throughout the years. Jeanne held a special place in her heart and a deep love for all the friends, young and old that she had made throughout her years in the many places she lived. Her heart was never far from her New England roots and she would often speak fondly of childhood memories from there. Later in life she developed a deep relationship with God and would routinely end each phone call with please “give my love to everyone” and “you’re in my prayers”  Jeanne is survived by her 4 sons; William S. Saxon Jr. (Kaye), Wasilla Alaska, Robert L. Saxon, Seward Alaska, Thomas R. Saxon (Elaine), Phoenix Arizona., Mark W. Saxon, Irvine California, brother Richard (Dana) Purnell, Ware Massachusetts, sister Debbie Gillard (Steve), Sebec Maine, grandchildren Erin, Josh, Amy, Ariel, Bailey, Michael, Ariana, Mary, Alyssa, Amber and Evan as well as 6 great grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be Thursday September 28, 2017 at 10:00 at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst, with burial following in Pelham Valley Cemetery.