Groton has lost an outstanding citizen, Jean Temple. She was a longtime, active member of the Groton Democratic Town Committee until Alzheimer's disease prevented her from continuing so many civic activities. She and her close friend Chase Duffy, who was also an active GDTC member, led the effort to create the first senior center here in Groton. Jean was a member of the Council on Aging, and headed the Friends of Groton Elders. Another long time member Lou Gaskins remembers travelling to Russia and other places with her as part of the Merry Trippers that Jean founded and organized. I am sure she was involved in so many other projects that I don't know about personally, but her gentle kindness and strength were amazing. She was sweet but resolute.
I know I have missed her very much since she retired from public life. She always held signs or staffed the coffee wagon on election day and had great thoughtful and practical advice. Here is the obituary for one of our long time members Jean Temple. She passed away on July 18, but I didn't want to get out ahead of the family in sharing the news.
Photo is of Jean and Roger Temple meeting Congresswoman Niki Tsongas at Grotonfest in 2014.
Jen Mieth
