Jean Pingree

GREENFIELD-Jean L (Rau) Pingree, 88 passed away on Thursday, January 19, 2017 at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, MA.  Born on September 29, 1928 in Montague, MA to John and Ursula (Dorsey) Togneri, Jean was raised in Erving, MA.  She graduated from Turners Falls High School class of 1947.  In the early 1960’s as a lifelong goal Jean co-owned and established the Shady Glen Restaurant in Turners Falls, MA with her friend, Franny Kelly. She enjoyed her time on the Greenfield Auxiliary Police and always talked of how much she enjoyed her job as directing traffic at the St. Patrick’s Parade in Holyoke while being a part of the police department.  Jean enjoyed NASCAR racing for many years and loved going to Louden Racetrack and traveling south for other races including the Daytona 500.  Camping, cooking and being with her family also topped her list.  Many will remember Jean as the Office Manager for Dr. Ann McIntosh in Greenfield retiring in 2002 at the age of 73.  She also previously worked at The Recorder, Greenfield Co-Op Bank and the Gables Restaurant.  Predeceased by her parents, her husbands Robert Pingree and Donald Rau and her daughter Sheryl Rau, she leaves her children: Donna (Rau) Pomeroy and her husband Richard of North Port, FL, Michael Rau and his wife Kathy Kelsey-Rau of Turners Falls, MA and Kathryn (Rau) Pittenger and her husband Skip of Turners Falls, MA; her sister Margaret (Togneri) Schoonmaker of Jensen Beach, FL, grandchildren: Farrah Pomeroy, Ashley Rau and Christopher Graves;  great grandchildren Hannah and Kate Graves, nephews Kevin and Keith Schoonmaker, her cats which she loved along with many other family members and friends. 

Jean’s life will be celebrated on Saturday, January 28, 2017 at 11AM at Faith Baptist Church, 331 Silver St., Greenfield, MA.  In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial donation to Buckley Nursing Home Residents Activity Fund, 95 Laurel St., Greenfield, MA 01301 or Dakin Animal Shelter, 163 Montague Rd., Leverett, MA 01054. 

End of life arrangements entrusted to Avalon Life Celebration Center & Cremation Services, LLC 691 College Hwy., Southwick, MA 01077.   To express a condolence please visit Jean’s memorial page at www.avaloncelebrations.com

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