Jean Astrup Folsom Passes Away at Age 94

Before winter’s onset, during a spate of perfect fall days, Jean Astrup Folsom passed away quietly on October 29th, 2026, at the age of 94.

Katherine and Bert C. Astrup welcomed their only daughter into the world in Olympia, Washington on August 5, 1932, making her the sister of the late Bert R. Astrup and the loving wife of the late Daniel Parkhurst Folsom. She is survived by her three children: Lyn McMahon, Kit Dunbar, and Jon Folsom, alongside his wife Martha, while her beloved grandsons Parker and Joseph Dunbar were her joy.

Life required frequent moves for Jean, an experience that naturally fostered her friendly attitude and self-reliance. She graduated from Bayside High School in Queens, New York, right alongside her future husband, Dan. Academic pursuits then took her to Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri for an associate degree before she completed her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts.

Jean set high standards for both herself and her family. She embraced the role of a purposeful stay-at-home mother to her three children while remaining never idle and encouraging them to pursue their dreams. Tragically, her husband Dan passed away at the age of 40 after battling brain cancer.

Demonstrating dedication, Jean spent years teaching young children and later served as an aide to a special needs student. She guided him through a mainstreaming program from the elementary level through the 10th grade, subsequently teaching English as a second language.

Deeply rooted in her Christian convictions, Jean lived her life according to weekly schedules and organized routines. She championed old school ideas like good manners and always looking presentable, preferring handwritten letters over texts or emails when keeping in touch with her extended family and friends.

Later in life, she retired to Massachusetts to live closer to her eldest children, settling at Westbrook Crossing in Shrewsbury to build a community. At the age of 90, she made the decision to move to The Highlands in Westborough to enjoy more activities and interaction with her peers.

Family members will hold a private celebration of Jean’s life. Instead of flowers, the family asks that any contributions in her memory be sent to the Rose Monahan Hospice Home located at 10 Judith Road, Worcester, MA 01602, acknowledging the tender, attentive, and compassionate support they offered during her final days.