Jeannette T. (Richards) McIntosh

ORANGE- Jeannette T. (Richards) McIntosh, 67, of East River Street, died on Sunday, August 20, 2023 at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston after brief illness.

Born in Athol on August 14, 1956, she was the daughter of the late Wilfred F. and Evelyn (Leonard) Richards and grew up in Orange, graduating from Ralph C. Mahar Regional in 1974. She later attended Greenfield Community College.

On November 22, 1975, Jeannette married James McIntosh and they have enjoyed over 47 years of marriage.

Employed by American Tool Supply (which became MSC) for 13 years, she retired in March of 2020. She previously had worked at the L. S. Starrett Co. for 18 years and FHC Supply for 12 ½ years.

Jeannette had been a member of the former Bethany Lutheran Church and served as the treasurer for 10 years as well as assisting with the church fairs and suppers.

In 1987, Jeannette joined the Athol Lions Club and had served as President, District Governor of 33A 2009-2010, after becoming first woman cabinet secretary and treasurer in 1996 to the first woman District Governor of New England, Sharon Brooks. Jeannette chaired two mid winter conferences and in 2022 chaired the River Rat Race following the sudden death of long time friend and organizer, Dave Flint. She also chaired the 2023 race.

Jeannette enjoyed sewing, growing African violets to show, backyard gardening and was a tremendous baker, especially fruit breads during the holidays.

Jeannette was a loving wife, a very caring mother to their only child, Jessica. She had great leadership in the community and a great gift for public speaking. She will be dearly missed by her family, her Lions family and the community.

Jeannette is survived by her husband, James McIntosh, of Orange;  brothers, William Richards of Paris, CA, and David Richards of Richmond, ME; and many nieces and nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews; as well as many friends and extended family.

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her daughter, Jessica McIntosh, in 2016 and a brother, John Richards, in 2021.

Calling hours will be held on August 30, 2023 from 5- 8 p.m. at Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange.

A funeral will be held at Witty’s Funeral Home at 10 a.m. on August 31, 2023.

Interment will follow in South Cemetery, Orange.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jeannette’s memory should be made to the Athol Lions Club. P.O. Box 293, Athol, MA 01331.

Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is assisting the family.

Guest book and directions online at WWW.WITTYFUNERALHOME.COM

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