Jean E. (Ward), Stephenson was born in Springfield, MA on April 25, 1926 to the late Henry and Edith (Terrell) Ward. She graduated from the former Technical High School, Class of 1945. After high school, she worked for the former Springfield News Co., as a clerk. Then as a stay at home mom, she became a Den Mother to Pack 51 at the former Our Lady of Hope Church. She was also active in the C.C.D program and Catholic Charities. In the 70’s she became a paraprofessional for the Springfield School Department and retired in 1988 after 21 years. She was a member of the Descendants of the May Flower Society and a communicant of St. Anne Church. Above all, she was devoted to her family, family gatherings, crafts, knitting, reading, gardening, and loved doing things with her grandchildren when they were young. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, James, her best friend after 59 years of marriage, on April 8, 2010 and her beloved sister Alice M. Ward on November 3, 2011. She leaves her son James Stephenson Jr. and his wife Claudette, her 2 grandchildren, Jennifer L. Williamson and her husband Nick and James U. Stephenson and his wife Nicole; 4 great grandchildren, Andrew, Kaitlyn, Madison and Brooklyn; 1 step-grandchild Matthew Bouffard and his wife Amie; 6 step great grandchildren Sarah and Hanna, Brianna, Jaelee, Taina and Joshua, along with their mother Antonia. She also leaves several cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends and her sweet cat Mollie. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, February 26, 2020 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at the Grise` Funeral Home, 280 Springfield St, Chicopee. A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, February 27, 2020, at 11:00 AM from the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St Anne’s Church at 12:00 Noon. Burial will take place at the MA Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Agawam at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations may be made in her memory to the Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center, 627 Cottage St, Springfield, MA 01104 or to the charity of your choice.