Jean D. Groothuis of Avon, CT, has passed away, leaving behind a family and community who loved her dearly.
Some stories deserve to be told slowly. This is one of them.
What is given freely returns in ways we cannot measure.
Jean Driscoll Groothuis, of Avon, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on April 30, 2026 with family by her side.
Jean was born on August 12, 1938, in Holyoke, Massachusetts, to Frank and Ida (Melanson) Driscoll. She graduated from Elms College in 1959 and earned a master's degree in sociology from Fordham University in 1966. In 1963, she married Richard Groothuis of Brooklyn, New York. Her accomplished teaching career included positions in Massachusetts and New York, a year in Göppingen, Germany, and 26 years at Renbrook School in West Hartford, Connecticut.
Her college yearbook captured her spirit and character with remarkable accuracy:
"An athlete's prowess blended with a lady's grace, an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. Unassuming, perhaps unaware of her infinite abilities. Aesthetically appreciative. Dauntless, dynamic, democratic. Holder of a season's pass to the Tourmaline Desk. Gentle molder of words and people. Determined eyes probe deeply to know and nurture that spark of good in everyone."
Jean was an amazing mother who inspired her children to do good in the world and to pursue their passions with determination. As both an educator and a mother, she paired patience with high expectations and had a gift for helping others discover their strengths. Jean and her late husband, who was her best friend and partner for 59 years, shared a love of gardening, reading, walking their spirited dogs, skiing, biking, traveling, long standing book clubs, and time with friends, including their beloved gourmet group. She was actively involved with the Unitarian Society of Hartford and The Town and County Club.
Jean was predeceased by her husband, Richard, and her brother, Bernard Driscoll. She is survived by her four daughters: Kathryn (Matthew) Graber of Wellesley, Massachusetts; Carin (Khalil) Bouharoun of Vienna, Virginia; Sarah (Thomas) Vilms of Arlington, Virginia; and Meaghan (Robert) Rubey of Aspen, Colorado. She is also survived by her niece Lisa Madison and her sister-in-law Lori Driscoll, both of Lake Oswego, Oregon; and by seven grandchildren: Oliver, Annie, and Oscar Graber; James and William Bouharoun; and Wyatt and Stearman Rubey.
Visitation will be held on May 30th at 2:30pm at the Carmon Funeral Home & Family Center, 301 Country Club Road, Avon, Connecticut, followed by a Celebration of Life at 3:30pm. The family requests guests wear colorful attire to honor Jean.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Jean's memory may be made to the Hartford-based Girls For Technology at girlsfortechnology.networkforgood.com, the Avon Free Public Library at avonctlibrary.info/support-the-library-2/, or a charity meaningful to you.
