JEAN BATESON

VERGENNES — Jean Bateson, 96 years old, passed away peacefully of natural causes at her home in Vergennes, Vt., surrounded by loved ones.

Jean was born in North Billerica, Mass., to her father, Joseph Warren Ellis and mother, Gladys Mae Howe Ellis. She attended Howe High School in Billerica, Mass., graduating in 1945, West Brook Junior College in Portland, Maine, studying Pre-Medical Technology and graduating in 1947, Burlington College in Vermont graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Transpersonal Psychology in 1984, and Antioch University-New England in Keene, N.H., graduating with a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology in 1988 at the age of 60 years old.

Jean was married to William Patrick Holdman from June 1948 through 1971 and raised five children: Jane Smith, Steve Holdman, Sally Holdman-Bellavance, Joan Breen and Susanne Holdman. She worked at Tewksbury Hospital and North Reading Hospital laboratories, Palmers Dairy Bar and Porter Hospital Laboratory in the mid 1960’s, Mary Fletcher Hospital Laboratory beginning in 1974, followed by St. Anthony Medical Center in St. Louis, Mo., beginning in 1980.

Jean later moved to Albuquerque, N.M., and spent 15 years mentoring interns at a substance abuse clinic, while also maintaining a licensed professional clinical counseling private practice. Jean retired in Costa Rica with her cat and lived for eight incredible years working with the Academy for Peace, supporting the teaching of Non-Violent Communication. She then returned home to Vermont to be closer to family.

Jean enjoyed reading, knitting, crocheting, sewing, playing golf and spending time with family and friends. Throughout her life she pursued trainings around the mind/body connection and participated in Non-Violent Communication practice groups.

A private celebration of life will be held at the Waybury Inn at a later date. If loved ones choose, contributions may be made in Jean’s honor to: Addison County Home Health and Hospice P.O. Box 754 Middlebury, VT 05753.

Arrangements by Miller & Ketcham of Brandon. ◊