Thetford Center, Vermont – Jean Marion (Judd) Thurston, 78, died Thursday afternoon, March 12, 2020 at the Jack Byrne Center for Palliative and Hospice Care.

Jean was born May 29, 1941 in Union Village, VT, the daughter of Hiram and Marion (Russell) Judd.  She graduated from Thetford Academy in 1958 and attended Lyndon Teacher's College, paying her own way.  Jeannie married Roger Elwood Thurston of Thetford Center at Union Village Methodist Church on March 19, 1960.

Roger was a security policeman in the US Air Force and along with their three children they moved many times following his career.  They were stationed in Massachusetts, Maine, California, Nebraska, New Mexico, New Hampshire, and Colorado. They particularly enjoyed international assignments in Wethersfield, England and West Berlin, Germany. Wherever they lived, Jean and Roger enjoyed traveling in the area and learning about the local culture. After Roger's Air Force retirement, he worked for The Boeing Co. and they lived in Florida, Louisiana, Washington, and California.  Along with raising her children, Jean worked full-time in accounting, including positions with the Berlin Brigade in Germany, US Army, US Air Force, Boeing, and Weyerhaeuser. She also worked and volunteered her accounting skills for several of the churches she attended.

Over many years of work, family and relocation, Jean never gave up on completing her college degree. She took night classes and thirty years after her high school graduation, she was proud to earn her BSBA from Regis College in Colorado Springs, CO in 1988.

Roger died of cancer August 3, 1999 and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.  Jean moved into the Thurston family home in Thetford Center, VT where she lived independently for several years. She most recently resided at Merten's House in Woodstock, VT.

After returning to Vermont, she volunteered at the Veteran's Affairs Medical Center in White River Jct., VT where she received many service awards for her time spent supporting Veterans who were going through chemo-treatments.

Jean was an incredible woman. A successful career woman, she was also an accomplished seamstress. Jean's family and friends benefited from her excellent cooking and baking skills, she will be especially remembered for her amazingly flaky pie crust and deliciously light biscuits.  She also enjoyed reading, Pinochle, golf, crochet, puzzles, arts and crafts, and spending time with her grandchildren. In addition to the many places she lived, she enjoyed trips to Japan, Russia, Spain, Hawaii, and Alaska.

Jean was predeceased by her husband, two sisters, Jackulene Maxfield and Charlotte Stone, and two brothers, John Judd and Robert Judd.

She is survived by her two daughters, Pamela Moratzka of Fairfax, VA, Cynthia Bare of Arlington, VA, a son, Mark Thurston of White River Jct., VT, four grandchildren, Jocelyn Moratzka, Brooks Bare, Audrey Bare, and Adian Thurston, one sister, Judy Lancor of White River Jct., VT,  as well as many nieces and nephews.

Due to Coronavirus Covid-19 concerns, funeral services in Thetford will be held at a later date. Interment will be in the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA.

Memorial contributions may be made to the VA Medical Center Voluntary Service General Purpose Fund at 215 N Main St, White River Junction, VT 05009, or to the Air Force Aid Society at https://afas.org/ways-to-give/

Condolences to Jean's family may be left at an online guestbook at www.knightfuneralhomes.com