Jean Lorraine (Hanks) Hager

Jean Lorraine Hager.        It was with feelings of sadness that the Hager family announces the death of Jean L. (Hanks) Hager of 206 Pinedale Ave. on Oct. 2, 2014 3:04pm at Henry Heywood Hospital in Gardner, Ma with her family by her side at age 81 years 5 months and 15 days.       Jean was born in Fitchburg, MA to Emma (Poulson) and Henry Hanks on April,17, 1933 and had spent her youth growing up in the area of Whalom Park where her father ran a business and she enjoyed telling stories to all how she and her siblings were able to get to go on the rides at the park for free. She loved the rollercoaster!        Jean was a well-known seamstress in the area and had also worked in the cafeteria at Riverbend School always with a smile and the comment “eat your food, children!”      She married Donald W. Hager on August 22, 1953 at Starrett Memorial Methodist Church and they had celebrated their 61st anniversary on August 22 of this year. Jean was very devoted to her family and husband and always enjoyed family gatherings whether cooking all together or debating a hot topic it was always lively in the Hager household.        Our Gram and Mother especially enjoyed her passion of sewing and getting uniforms, dresses, and suits right for her family and clients (of which there were many), she loved playing the lottery and made us all jealous because she was so lucky, singing Karaoke with her family, outings to the beach with her grandchildren, Christmas was a delight to her in surprising the grand kids in creative ways and seeing her sons and daughter get married brought it all together for Jean.  She was most proud of is her grandchildren Gregory, Donald and Elizabeth Hager they were lucky to have had Jean in their lives and will always remember her lessons and love.          Jean leaves behind her beloved husband Don, her daughter Karen and her wife, Tammy, of S. Royalston, son Kent and his wife Cinny of Athol and Steve and Lynn Hager of Gardner; grandchildren Gregory, Donald, Elizabeth all of Athol and Brent Hager and wife Kim of Leominster; sister Phyllis (her matron of honor) of Fitchburg and brothers Donald (Bucky) Hanks and Jack Tardy of Ocala, FL. She was predeceased by sisters Marilyn Jordan, Nancy Young and a brother Jim Tardy, all of Florida. Jean also leaves extended family both in the Northeast region and in Florida.  Jean’s witticism, laugh and the songs she would make up for special occasions will be missed by all of her family and friends.      A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 18, 2015 at 10:00 A.M. at Higgins-O'Connor Funeral Home 146 Main St., Athol with the Rev. Mark D. Bariloni, pastor of the Athol-Orange Baptist Church officiating.  The family suggests those wishing to make a contribution in Jean’s name make it to the Athol Animal Shelter “for the care of animals” c/o Athol Police Dept., 280 Exchange St., Athol, MA  01331.  For more information or to share a memory with the family go to: www.higginsoconnorfuneralhome.com $(document).ready(function(){ });