Jeanne Marie Fassett (née Pastwa), aged 85, passed away in Worcester, MA on October 2, 2023. Her former husband, Richard A. Fassett, passed away in 1996. She is survived by her son, Brian R. Fassett, and his husband, Sepp Spenlinhauer, of Peekskill, NY; her daughter, Michelle K. Wentworth and her wife, Lori Wentworth, of Worcester, MA; and two grandchildren, Jessica Jeanne Baronas and Jacob Martin Baronas. Jeanne’s three siblings preceded her in death: two sisters, Marie Porter and Patricia A. Fiene, and brother, John E. Pastwa. John’s wife, Genevieve, and many nieces and nephews still live in and around Illinois.

Jeanne was born on August 17, 1938, in Chicago, Illinois. She was the daughter of Jacob J. and Jane Pastwa (née Burke). Jeanne graduated from St. Augustine High School in Chicago in 1956 and, in 1963, earned her Bachelor of Arts in Business Education from St. Francis College in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Later, in 1990, she obtained a Master of Science in Adult Education from Worcester State College.

For 14 years, she served as a nun and was a member of the religious order of Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ. During this time, she worked as a teacher for both elementary and high school students in Illinois. However, due to certain differences with the Catholic Church and her religious order, she left Catholicism. 1971 she married Richard “Dick” Fassett, who had also left the Franciscan Brotherhood the same year. They spent 16 years together and were blessed with two children.

After marrying and relocating to Worcester, Massachusetts, she worked as an administrative assistant for the New England Daily Newspaper Association and an executive assistant for the New England Society of Newspaper Editors for two decades. Later, she worked as a graphic arts technician at Worcester State College for 19 years until she retired in 2002. Additionally, she taught English as a second language (ESL) for several years in the Worcester Public Schools.

She was a kind, compassionate, and loving spiritual servant who remained dedicated to serving her community. She contributed as a deacon and served on various committees in her congregational church. Regardless of your beliefs, it is worth noting that she passed away on the “Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels.” It’s fitting to say that she has certainly gained her wings and will continue to watch over us all.

She always maintained that her children and grandchildren were her greatest joys, followed closely by the Patriots and Celtics.

Although Alzheimer’s Disease took her away from us little by little over the last five years, we always felt her love. We will never forget that love and will continue to honor her legacy.

Burial will be at Worcester County Memorial Park in a small private family ceremony. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation made in her name to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org or a charity of your choosing.