STEPHENTOWN, NY – Jeanne Girouard Demick, 97, also known as “Jane” to family and friends, died Tuesday, March 13, 2018 at the Mt. Greylock Extended Care Facility in Pittsfield, MA. Jeanne is a first generation American. Her father Henry Girouard was from Tingwick, Quebec and her mother, Jeanne Henrissat was from Rougemont, France.
Jeanne was born in Pittsfield, MA. She attended Pittsfield schools and worked in the textile mills as a young woman.
She married Walter Demick in 1939. After he returned from World War II as a Marine, they spent most of their years as dairy farmers in West Stockbridge, MA and Stephentown, NY.
Jeanne gave birth to ten children and adopted two sons later in life. Her husband Walter passed away in 1995.
Jeanne did expert knitting and crochet. She was also adept at making clothes for her children. Jeanne canned and froze produce every year from her farm garden plus pails of blueberries picked on Round Mountain in Stephentown.
Jeanne served as a foster mom for many years, initially taking care of newborns and toddlers and later helping adolescents and teens make their way in life.
Jane lived with her daughter Jeanne on Fishers Island in Long Island Sound for several years after selling her Mt. Whitney Farm home in Stephentown. More recently she resided in assisted living at Melbourne Place in Pittsfield.
She is the beloved mother of Walter (June) Demick of Wetumpka, AL, Richard (Susan) Demick of Stephentown, NY, Donald (Susan) Demick of Berlin, WI, Jeanne Demick Schultz of Salisbury, MA, Andrea Demick of West Sand Lake, NY, Stephen (Susan) Demick of Fort Plain, NY, Ronald (Donna) Demick of Petersburgh NY, Barbara (Carl) Hunt of Woodland Park, CO, Louise Whelan of Queensbury, NY, Robert (Denise) Demick of Pittsfield, MA, Joseph (Shannon) Demick of New Iberia, LA and Phillip Demick of Troy, NY. Also survived by 25 grandchildren and 30 greatgrandchildren. She was predececeased by her sisters, Louise Girouard and Eleanor House.
Relatives and friends may call at the Hall & Higgins Funeral Home, 457 NY Route 43, Stephentown on Wednesday, March 21 from 4-7 pm. Her funeral mass will be Thursday, March 22 at 10 am at St. Joseph’s Church in Stephentown. A spring burial will occur in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Stephentown at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, contributions would be appreciated to The Kid’s Place, 63 Wendell Avenue, Pittsfield, MA 01201.
Condolence book at ParkerBrosMemorial.com.

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