Jean Longfellow

Jean (MacKay) Longfellow of Stoneham, Massachusetts, 97, died on March 10, 2023 after a brief illness. 

Born on February 17, 1926 in Winchester, Jean was the daughter of the late Frank D. and Margaret (McMahan) MacKay. The third of seven siblings, Jean grew up in Greenwood, Massachusetts, and was a graduate of Wakefield High School Class of 1943. She was the beloved wife of the late George Longfellow with whom she shared 36 years of marriage. Jean and George raised their sons Gary and Tom in Saugus and Wakefield. She enjoyed spending time at their vacation home on Lake Winnipesaukee and golfing with friends at the Thompson Club. 

Jean worked for the Town of Wakefield Building Department, retiring in 1966 and 
was a longtime member of the Wakefield Lynnfield United Methodist Church. 

Jean is survived by her two sons and daughters-in-law, Gary and Cindy Longfellow (Colorado), Tom Longfellow and Barbara Kelly (Vermont); grandchildren Sarah Longfellow (North Carolina), Brendan Longfellow (Vermont), Tara Williamson (Arizona), and Sam Longfellow and his wife, Lindsey (Colorado); great-great grandchildren Natalie, Leena, and Reed El-Assi; Joshua and Courden Williamson; and Emery Longfellow. She was also survived by siblings Billie MacKay of Stoneham, Margaret (Peggy) Cox of Reading, and Janet Thompson and her husband, Howard of Reading and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, George, her parents, and by her brothers Donald and Kenneth (Pat) MacKay, and her sister Patricia Cotty. 

The family offers special thanks to the staff at Bear Hill Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Tufts Medicine Care at Home. 

Arrangements are being made by McDonald Funeral Home; a service will take place in the spring or early summer.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Meals on Wheels, c/o Mystic Valley Elder Services in Malden.