Jean Robillard

Jean (Ratcliffe) Robillard, 87, passed away on February 24, 2025, at Salemhaven in Salem, NH, surrounded by her loved ones.

Jean was born on October 16, 1937 in Lawrence, MA, to the late John and Vera (Benfield) Ratcliffe. She had nine siblings, including her twin sister, Joan Savard. The homestead in Methuen was a place for the extended family to come together from all over Massachusetts and North Carolina.

Jean graduated from Tenney High School in Methuen in 1955. She married her high school sweetheart, Leo Robillard. Together they had many adventures. In Haverhill, they enjoyed boating on the Merrimack River and they had many sailing adventures in the Caribbean along with their friends. In Pelham, NH, they bought their own private island, which they named Mark-O Island after their son, Mark. Jean drove her pontoon boat from Mark-O, in the middle of Little Island Pond, to the mainland to shop and visit friends. Jean’s next great adventure with Leo was to move to Largo, FL, and then to Kissimmee, FL, to be near her sister, Alice.

Jean retired from the United States Postal Service in Pelham, New Hampshire.

She is survived by her niece Rhonda Grealish (daughter of Jean’s twin sister Joan) and her sister-in-law and best friend, Gail Ratcliffe of Pelham, NH.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Leo Robillard; her son, Mark Robillard; her twin, Joan Savard of Salem, NH; and her siblings: John Ratcliffe of North Andover, MA; Frederick Ratcliffe of Dracut, MA; Robert Ratcliffe of Pinehurst, NC; Alice Pricer of Kissimmee, FL; Edward Ratcliffe of Methuen, MA; Vera Harrison of Garner, NC; Dorothy Smith of Syracuse, NY; and Richard Ratcliffe of Pelham, NH. She leaves behind many loving nieces, nephews, and close friends who enjoyed her cheerful attitude and bright smile.

Her burial services will be private. Arrangements are by the Dewhirst Boles Funeral Home, 80 Broadway, Methuen. To leave an online condolence, please visit Jean’s tribute page at www.dewhirstbolesfuneral.com.

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