Jean L. Chesley

Peabody, MA – Jean L. Chesley, age 97, a former and longtime resident of Haverhill passed away March 13, 2023 at Brooksby Village, Peabody, MA, her home community for the past seventeen years. Born June 23, 1925 in Haverhill, she was one of four daughters to the late Paul and Lucy (MacIver) Gray. She shared 67 years of marriage with her late husband Charles E. Chesley. Jean graduated from Haverhill High School with the Class of 1943 and Pierce Secretarial School in Boston in 1944. Early in her career, Jean was employed as an executive secretary at Western Electric in Haverhill. Family was always considered her highest priority and she became a stay-at-home mom while her two sons were young and then enjoyed traveling widely to stay connected with her growing family. Jean was a proud and dedicated citizen of Haverhill and was active in the supporting community as a volunteer at the Haverhill Historical Society; as a member and past president of the Haverhill Arts and Crafts Society; the Winnekenni Castle Foundation; and as a past President and thirty-year Board Member of Bethany Homes, Inc. She was recognized by the Haverhill Historical Society and Bethany Inc. for her dedicated service. Jean shared several honors with Charlie, including the B’nai B’rith Distinguished Service Award; the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership Award; as well as, recognition by the Haverhill Historical Society and Winnekenni Castle Foundation for their leadership in restoration projects at “The Castle” and from the Mayor and City Council of Haverhill for countless acts of community service. Surviving family members include two sons, Wayne Chesley and his wife, Charlene, of Springfield, VA. Their children Kevin, his wife Heather and their daughter Lucy of Burbank, CA; Kristin Dunaway, husband Tom and their children, Vivian, Charles and Graham of Alexandria, Virginia; and Katie of Austin Tx. Glenn Chesley and his wife Maureen of Danvers, and their son, Matthew of Austin Tx. She is also survived by her sister Peg Young of Moultonborough, NH, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was also predeceased by her siblings, Ruth Butcher and Elinor Spofford. Private services will be held in the Linwood Cemetery, Haverhill, MA. A Memorial Service will be held at the Brooksby Village Chapel at 12:00 on 25 March. A Celebration of Life luncheon will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Haverhill Historical Society, 240 Water Street, Haverhill, MA 01831, Bethany Homes Inc., 10 Phoenix Row, Haverhill, MA 01832 or the Benevolent Care Fund at Brooksby Village, 100 Brooksby Village Drive, Peabody, MA 01960.

Jean L. Chesley

June 23, 1925 - March 13, 2023