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BUXTON – Jean Whitney, a teacher training professor at the University of Southern Maine and mother of Rosalie and Archer Thomas, died Aug. 20 at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston after a 6-year battle with colon cancer. Jean was born in Burlington, Vermont in 1964. She attended public schools in Exeter, NH, Jackson, Mississippi, and South Paris, Maine, graduating from Oxford Hills High School in 1982. After graduating from Carleton College in Northfield, Minn. , she received her MA from the University of Pittsburgh, then taught special education in South Portland from 1987 to 1991. She received her doctorate in special education from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1994 and then was Senior Research Associate with the Institute for Community Inclusion, Graduate College of Education, University of Massachusetts, Boston. In 2003, Jean became director of educator preparation at the University of Southern Maine. She has taught courses in research methods and the practice of inclusion while supervising the work of student teachers at various schools in southern Maine. For several years, she served the University of Southern Maine as Associate Dean. Jean is survived by his children Rosalie and Archer, his sisters Katherine Whitney of Lewiston and Rebecca Mandel of Los Angeles, his brother-in-law David Mandel; his niece and nephew Madeline and Freddie Mandel; and his parents Alison and Tom Whitney of South Paris, Maine. His decades-old friends also survive – all of whom are considered family and all of whom provided immense affection and assistance during his long illness. A resident of Bar Mills, Maine for 19 years, Jean took great pleasure in pottery and knitting projects. She spent part of the day outdoors, accompanied by her dog Harry and enjoying the beauty found outside her front door along the Saco River. She is remembered for her optimistic nature, her confidence, her dedication to the equality of all peoples and the faithfulness of her friendships. Vaccinated and masked friends and family are invited to a memorial service and celebration of John’s life at 2 p.m. on August 28, 2021 in his backyard at 50 Salmon Falls Road, Buxton, ME 04093. Dennett, Craig & Pate Funeral Home – Buxton is entrusted with its arrangements.
