Jean M. (Nielsen) Smith, 92, of Main Road died Sunday 7/7/24 at the Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield. She was born in Nottingham, NH, the daughter of Arthur W. and Guida (Rutter) Nielsen. One of ten siblings, Jean grew up on her parents’ farm with her two brothers and seven sisters. She graduated from Coe Brown Academy in Northwood, New Hampshire in 1949. 
Early in her career, Jean worked various roles while raising her four children, including time as a waitress, a nurse’s aide and at the Millers Falls Tool company. Jean found her professional home in the housekeeping department at the Baystate Franklin Medical Center, where she worked for twenty-seven years before retiring in the early 2000s.
More than anything else, Jean loved her family. Jean was a true matriarch in every sense of the word, and not only for her kids and grandkids. She was like a second mother to many of her 30+ nieces and nephews, as well as her kids’ and grandkids’ friends. She was always there to offer support and guidance – whether you wanted to hear it or not - or just a safe place to land. She loved watching sports, including her New England Patriots and Boston Red Sox, but also the youth sporting games of her family. Jean would never turn down the offer of a trip to the casino or a game of Bingo at her beloved Senior Center with friends. A favorite pastime of Jean’s was traveling, especially with her sisters Karla and Betty. She loved going to the beach and heading out west to Arizona to visit her family. A resilient spitfire, she continued to travel well into her 80s! Despite any of its challenges, Jean truly believed that “Life is good!”
Among her survivors, Jean leaves four children, David Smith (Betsy) of Gill, Sharon Weller of Putnam, CT, Lester Smith of Southwick, and Donna Depretto of South Deerfield; six grandchildren, Calista Thompson (Cody) of Norton, Ryan Smith (Jennifer) of Southwick, Haley Fitzgerald (Stephen) of Cumberland, RI, Nicolette Smith of Southwick, Ashley Jones (Joshua) of Colrain, and Adam Depretto of Whately; nine great grandchildren: Ava, Naomi, Mila, Colgan, Corley, Levi, Hayes, Reese and Taylor; two siblings, Elizabeth “Betty” Mackey of Scottsdale, AZ and Nancy Richardson of Laconia, NH; and her brother-in-law, Gilbert Zepeda of Paso Robles, CA; as well as several nieces and nephews. 
Jean was predeceased by her long-time partner, Walter Hansen. 
Funeral services will be held Saturday 7/20 at 10am at the Kostanski Funeral Home, 1 Kostanski Square, Turners Falls. Burial will be held at the convenience of the family. 
Calling hours will be held Friday evening from 5-7pm at the funeral home. 
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Erving Senior Center/Council on Aging. 
For condolences, please visit www.kostanskifuneralhome.com.