Jean Desper Fitton Thurston, 96, passed away at home in Nobleboro on the afternoon of June 5, 2024.  She was born in Worcester, MA, a daughter of Irving M. and Helen W. Desper. 

Jean graduated from Classical High School in Worcester and received a bachelor’s degree from Colby College in Waterville, ME in 1949.  Later she earned a master’s degree in education from Worcester State Teachers College.  She taught first grade at Paxton Elementary School before spending most of her teaching career at West Tatnuck School in Worcester.  

She loved painting, gardening, reading and all sorts of needlework. She especially enjoyed family gatherings.

Jean lived in Worcester, and later in Princeton, MA, retiring to Nobleboro in 1979.  She was active in the Nobleboro Baptist Church and volunteered for several local organizations including the Nobleboro Historical Society, Old Bristol Garden Club and the Nobleboro Central School’s Buddies Program.

Jean was predeceased by her sister, Nancy Desper; and husbands, Frank Fryburg, Lawrence Fitton and James Thurston.  

She leaves her children, Scott Fryburg of Worcester, Nancy Courville of Nobleboro, Deborah Mansfield of Warren, ME, Lawrence Fitton Jr. of Orange, MA, John Fitton of Leicester, MA, and Carl Fitton of Rutland, MA; stepchildren, Gale Grindstaff of Damariscotta and St. Johns, FL, James Thurston Jr. of Walpole, ME, and Roy Thurston of Worcester, and their families.  She also leaves grandchildren, Anna Newbert, James Courville, Jennifer Mansfield, Catherine Mansfield, Nicholas Fitton, Christopher Fitton, Johnathan Fitton and Jill Fitton; as well as many great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00am, on Saturday, June 22 at the First Baptist Church of Nobleboro.  Burial will be at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Princeton, MA at a later date.  Donations in Jean’s memory may be made to the First Baptist Church of Nobleboro, PO Box 35, Nobleboro, ME 04555.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main Street, Damariscotta, ME 04543.  Condolences, and messages for Jean’s family, may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.