Jean Vernet
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Obituary for Jean Vernet

Jean  Vernet
Jean Ellen Vernet, Jr. died on July 22, following a brief illness, at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington, MA, with her husband by her side. Jean was born in Torrance, CA on September 15, 1949, the second of three children of Herbert Vernet, Jr. and Jean Ellen Vernet, Sr. From the age of three, she and the family lived in Hershey, PA, where her father was an executive with the Hershey Chocolate Co., and where Jean graduated with honors from Hershey High School in 1967. She went on to receive a BA in American Studies from Michigan State University in 1971, and a law degree from Duke University in 1974.

Jean had a successful career in Federal service. She worked at the Environmental Protection Agency from 1974 to 1980 providing legal assistance in air pollution cases involving power plants. In 1980 she transferred to the newly-formed Dept. of Energy (DOE) to work on environmental policy issues, receiving numerous awards for outstanding service. She worked at DOE until her retirement in 2003.

At the DOE she met her future husband, Steve Ferguson, and they were married in 1987. They lived in the Washington, D.C. suburb of Falls Church, VA for the next 17 years. They enjoyed a busy schedule which combined work with social and cultural events. Jean took every opportunity to visit the Smithsonian Institution art museums near her work on her lunch hour. She and Steve also enjoyed traveling about the U.S., often in conjunction with one or the other’s work, to visit national parks and other points of interest. She was particularly fond of their frequent visits to Longwood Gardens and Winterthur. She also enjoyed their frequent trips to visit family and friends.

Soon after they were married, Jean and Steve began summer vacations on the Maine Coast. It became a yearly event, and then progressed to multi-season trips. By the time they had started planning for retirement in the mid-1990’s, they decided they wanted to relocate to Maine. They purchased a lot in Round Pond in 1999, and when Steve retired in early 2004, they moved to Damariscotta to live while the house was being built, and then moved to Round Pond in 2005.

Jean began a long association with Skidompha Library soon after moving to Maine. She began volunteering at the library in 2004 and continued to do so up to within a few weeks of her illness. She also served on the board of directors from 2005 to 2012, including two terms as Board President. Thereafter she served on the committee that arranges speakers for the library’s popular “Chats with Champions” series. However, she was most proud of her volunteer work in the children’s wing. She always took an active interest in her diminutive patrons and she would beam with pleasure when one of her “groupies” would bring his or her latest treasure from the shelves to the circulation desk to show it to “Miss Jean” for her approval.

Jean enjoyed the extensive cultural opportunities offered in Maine. She was an avid fan of musical theater, and she and Steve were long-time season-ticket holders at the Maine State Music Theater, as well as frequent patrons at Lincoln Community Theater performances. They also enjoyed the Portland Symphony Orchestra Pops series. She loved spending time in the local art galleries and at craft shows and was fond of surprising their out-of-state friends with the high-quality museums that are readily available.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Jean Vernet; and her older brother, Herbert (Skip) Vernet, III.

She is survived by her husband, Steve Ferguson; step-children, Marie Crumpton (husband -Will) of Kansas City, MO, and John Ferguson (wife-Krista MacNamara-Ferguson) of Anderson, IN; brother, Bruce Vernet, Sr. (wife-Virginia) of Mt. Gretna, PA; sister-in-law, Kathy Ferguson (husband- Gilad Ashkenazi) of Honolulu, HI; sister-in-law, Sharon Vernet of Huntingdon, PA; nephew, Bruce Vernet, Jr. (wife-Crystal) of Palmyra, PA; niece, Kimberly Saieva of Hummelstown, PA; niece, Daniele Eisner (husband-Jerry) of Etters, PA; and several great nieces and nephews.

A memorial celebration of Jean’s life will held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 29 at the Skidompha Library. Those wishing to make memorial gifts in Jean’s name, are encouraged to make them to the Skidompha Library, PO Box 70, Damariscotta, ME 04543.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main Street, Damariscotta, ME 04543. Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by visiting: www.StrongHancock.com.

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