Jean M. Howe, passed away peacefully on Oct. 14, 2026, at the Lincoln Home in Newcastle, Maine, in the company of her loving family and friends just a week shy of her 97th birthday.

Jean was born in Melrose, Massachusetts, on Oct. 23, 1929, to Wirt and Madge (Tuell) McKenney. She graduated from Melrose High School in 1947 and from Boston Business School in 1948.

Jean was a lifelong learner whose boundless curiosity about the world around her shaped her life and passions. A respected ornithologist and botanist, Jean had extraordinary knowledge of the intricate workings of nature. Her expertise and dedication earned her a fellowship in the Josselyn Botanical Society, and she played an instrumental role in the creation of the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay. There, she enthusiastically shared her knowledge with visitors, fostering a deeper appreciation for the beauty and diversity of the environment. A woman of conviction and action, Jean was a passionate advocate for civil rights, wildlife conservation, and the preservation of the Earth she so dearly loved. Throughout her life, she inspired others not only through her knowledge, but also through her unwavering commitment to protecting the beauty and integrity of the natural world.

A gifted musician, Jean shared her talents generously throughout her life. She studied voice at the New England Conservatory and later sang and played the piano for numerous church congregations, choruses, choirs and jazz ensembles across New England. Her beautiful voice also earned her the extraordinary opportunity to sing with the New York Philharmonic during the 1960s under the direction of the legendary Leonard Bernstein.

On Oct. 3, 1953, Jean married the love of her life, Lemuel Herbert “Bert” Howe. Together, they built a life rooted in family, faith, community, and a shared commitment to serving others. Jean carried this spirit of service throughout her life, generously devoting her time, talents, and boundless energy to the causes and organizations she held dear. She served as director of religious education at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Haverhill, Massachusetts, and as director of the New England Music Festival. An active and dedicated member of every community she called home, Jean willingly lent her leadership and expertise to countless boards of directors, always finding room for one more worthy cause.

Jean was predeceased by her husband, Lemuel “Bert” Howe and grandson, Andrew Goupil.

She leaves behind a loving family who will cherish her memory: her son Benjamin Howe of Portsmouth, New Hampshire; her son James Howe and his wife, Karen, of North Yarmouth, Maine; her son Brian Howe and his wife, Diane, of Boothbay Harbor, Maine; and her daughter Jocelyn Howe of Dresden, Maine. She is also survived by five grandchildren: Jaime Cesar of Framingham, Massachusetts; Joshua Howe of Kennebunk, Maine; Morgan Howe of Clinton, Massachusetts; Christopher Apollonio of Titusville, Florida; Laura Howe of Bozeman, Montana, and three great-grandchildren as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Jean’s life was a testament to the rewards of a curious mind, a generous spirit, a love of music, and a deep appreciation for the natural world. She leaves behind a legacy that will live on in the family she cherished, the communities she served, and the many people whose lives she enriched.

At Jean’s request, she will be laid to rest at Cedar Brook Burial Ground in Limington, Maine.

In lieu of flowers, tribute gifts in Jean’s name may be made to Maine Audubon in support of its work to protect Maine’s wildlife and natural habitats: https://maineaudubon.org/support/give/

Arrangements are entrusted to Hall Funeral Home and Crematory, 975 Wiscasset Road, Boothbay.