Jean R. (Maroni) Torstensen

Jean R. Torstensen Athol – Jean R. (Maroni) Torstensen, 74, died Sunday, May 4, 2014 at her home surrounded by her family.      Jean was born in Athol, Massachusetts, April 14, 1940, the daughter of Pio L. and May M. (Zani) Maroni.  She was a lifelong resident of Athol, graduating from Athol High School 1958 and Lasell College in 1960 with a degree in medical technology.        Jean worked at the Athol Memorial Hospital for 45 years until her retirement.  She was honored as AMH’s Humanitarian of the Year in 1993.  She had previously worked at the Greenfield Hospital for seven years.         She was a lifelong member and communicant of Our Lady Immaculate Church.  She enjoyed her career, the people she worked with and the patients she cared for.  Jean loved her home which she lived in all of her life where she enjoyed gardening, cooking, needlework and crafts.  She cherished holidays at home with family and friends.  She treasured her summer vacations with her family at Wells Beach, ME and enjoyed several trips to Walt Disney World with her family.  The greatest joy in her later years was becoming a grandmother.      Jean is survived by her son, Kevin J. Torstensen, her daughter, Kristin Riordon and her husband Jeremiah and their children, Maren and Harold Riordon, all of Athol.  She also leaves a brother, Donald Maroni and his wife Joanne of LeGrange, GA and her Maroni and Zani cousins and her many friends who were like family to her.  She was predeceased by her husband, Harold J. “Sugar” Torstensen whom she married April 20, 1963 and died January of 1988 after 24 happy years together.      A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, May 8, 2014 at 10:00 A.M.  at Our Lady Immaculate Church, 192 School Street, Athol with the Rev. Fr. Krzysztof Korcz, pastor officiating (those attending the Mass are asked to go directly to the church).  Calling hours will be held Wednesday, May 7, 2014 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Higgins-O’Connor Funeral Home, 146 Main Street, Athol.  A private burial will be held at Gethsemane Cemetery at the convenience of the family.  In lieu of flowers Kevin and Kristin suggest donations in their mother’ name be made to the American Cancer Society, Relay for Life, Central New England Region, 44 Bearfoot Road, Suite 1C, Northborough, MA 01532.   This event was important to Jean as a fundraiser and survivor.  For further information or to share a memory with the family go to: www.higginsoconnorfuneralhome.com. $(document).ready(function(){ });