Jeanine O. (Brown) Carlson, 86, a truly selfless woman whose devotion to her husband, children, grandchildren, friends and community was extraordinary, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 9, 2015 at the UMass Memorial Medical Center-Memorial Campus, Worcester. She was born in Cranston, RI.

As a young woman, Jeanine relocated to the Worcester area. A chance meeting with a tall, handsome fellow at work, Donald Carlson from Holden, blossomed into a wonderful friendship and romance that has lasted for the past 59 years. They married on January 21, 1956 and soon found a place to set roots on Kenwood Drive in Rutland. She was a dedicated homemaker and mother of their three children. Creating a warm, loving home was a priority to her. Hard work was also no stranger to Jeanine. She was a bus driver in Rutland, worked at Holden Hospital, the VA Hospital in Rutland, and as a custodian for the Rutland schools until her retirement in 1988. She also cleaned homes privately. Playing an active role in her church and the community was important to Jeanine. She was a longtime, dedicated member of the First Congregational Church of Rutland where she was a member of the Monday Club and the Sunshine Group. Volunteering was a passion in her retirement years, spending countless hours at the Rutland Senior Center and delivering Meals on Wheels. She enjoyed knitting and sewing and was always ready to create something new. Jeanine found time to can and preserve the bounties of their gardens and liked to feed the feathered friends that visited her yard. Her love of animals was evident, especially with Sammy, their cat. She enjoyed cheering for the Red Sox, and was an especially enthusiastic spectator at her grandchildren’s many events. There was no better cheerleader and supporter for her children and grandchildren.

Jeanine will be deeply missed by her beloved husband and friend, Donald L. Carlson; her three cherished children and their spouses, Donna L. Toto and her husband, Keith, David L. Carlson and his wife, Johnna and Doreen E. Dunn and her husband, Kenneth all of Rutland; her six grandchildren, Kyle E. Toto, Matthew D. Carlson, Daniel C. Carlson, Kendra E. Dunn, Lindsay J. Carlson and Jared K. Dunn; as well as her niece and nephew, Pamela Carey and Arthur F. “Buddy” Brown. She was predeceased by her father, Arthur F. Brown; Marion Clark, who loved, nurtured and guided her; her brother and sister-in-law, Arthur F. Brown, Jr. and his wife, Josephine; and her brother-in-law, Richard R. Carlson.

The family would like to thank the dedicated doctors, nurses and care assistants in the CCU of the Memorial Campus at the UMass Memorial Hospital for their loving care and compassion shown to Jeanine and her family.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Jeanine’s family from 4 – 7 p.m. on Friday, September 11, in the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. A funeral service honoring her life will be held in the funeral home at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 12, followed by burial in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Sweetpea Friends of Rutland, 338 Pommogussett Rd., or to the First Congregational Church, P.O. Box 484, both in Rutland, MA 01543.