Jean A. Newberry

MONTPELIER - Jean Ann Newberry, age 40, passed away unexpectedly over the fourth of July weekend in Montpelier, Vermont.

Jean Newberry was born in January 1985 at Gifford Memorial Hospital in Randolph, Vermont. Jean is survived by her son Mliki, parents Dean Newberry and Connie Olivet, stepmother Danielle Newberry, siblings, Andrew Olivet and Meghann Cline and step siblings Dovid Burns and Laura Greif and several nieces and nephews.

Jean’s earliest days were at her family home in Randolph Center where her mother ran a home day care for the village children. In this setting, Jean began taking charge of her tiny peers, a passion of hers which she continued all of her life. She completed her senior high school year in a program at Vermont Technical College and went on to major in early childhood education. She followed in the footsteps of her aunt and mentor, Nancy Olivet, one of the first nursery teachers at Orchard Valley Waldorf School. Jean was a founding faculty member of the Sweet Clover Nursery in Montpelier and was the infant teacher there from 2016-2021. Sweet Clover is one of the first birth to three-year-old Waldorf Childcare centers in the United States.

Jean co-founded and ran the Tulsi Tea Room in Montpelier which became a gathering place for mothers with young children. To better serve families with babies Jean started independently nannying, often bringing a couple of families together to form a nanny share.

Music was always an important part of Jean’s life, humming along while cooking and caring for infants. She enjoyed singing with friends, sometimes belting out a song. Her singing expressed her joy for life. Jean left everyone whom she met a little more optimistic and cheerful than they had felt before she arrived.

Jean loved to go camping and hiking with her son Mliki. She was so proud of his scholarship accomplishments and they often read books together in the evening.

Jean’s gift of caring for babies and their families is legendary. The incredible outpouring of grief and support from the central Vermont community is evidence of the impact she had on each person who is fortunate enough to have met her.

There will be a private funeral and reception for family and close friends next week.
A memorial celebration of Jean’s life will be held for the larger community in the fall, with details to
follow.
Arrangements are in the care of Pruneau-Polli Funeral Home, 58 Summer Street in Barre.
Those wishing to express online condolences may do so at www.pruneaupollifuneralhome.com