Jean F. Herne

AKWESASNE – Mrs. Jean F. “Tewatenniheh” Herne, 77, of 1330 State Route 37, peacefully passed away early Saturday morning at Fletcher-Allen Medical Center, Burlington, Vermont, where she had been a patient for the past 2 weeks.

Jean was born on October 24, 1933 in St. Regis, Quebec, the daughter of Angus and Hattie Jocko Mitchell. She attended schools in Cornwall and later graduated from Mater Dei. She earned 2 Master’s Degree in Language from St. Lawrence University. In February 1953, Jean married Herbert L. Herne at St. Regis Catholic Church. He predeceased Jean on December 12, 1986.

Jean was a Mohawk language teacher for the Salmon River Central School District working in the Mohawk School until her retirement after over 25 years of service. She was a member of the Tri-District Elders and the St. Regis Mohawk Senior Citizens. Jean was recently honored as a 50 year member of the Andrew W. Cook American Legion Post #1479, Ladies Auxiliary. She was also an active member of the Pamoja International Cultural Exchange, which raised monies to fund a scholarship for a student at Salmon River Central School. True to her Mohawk name of Tewatenniheh, Jean was always giving, whether it was volunteering her time teaching the Mohawk language to someone or bringing someone food, she was a very generous person. She believed and participated in the Holistic Health Program with Eddie Gray and Emmy Mitchell with the use of traditional medicines. She enjoyed playing bingo and making baskets.

Jean is survived by her three children, Allan H. and Jacquie Herne of Massena; Maurice W. Herne of St. Regis, Quebec; and Ann M. and Michael Francis, Jr. of Snye, Quebec. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Charles Allen and Jamie Herne, Herbi, Julie, Nicholas, and Savannah Francis, and Danielle Shadle; her great grandchildren, Sidney and AunaMarie Shadle and Easton Allan Herne; her brother, Teddy Jacobs of St. Regis, Quebec; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her brother, George Mitchell.

Friends called beginning Sunday at the Akwesasne Homemaker’s, River Road, Snye, until the funeral services on Tuesday at the Homemaker’s. Memorial contributions may be made in Jean’s memory to the Let’s Get Healthy Program, Diabetic Wellness Center.

Arrangements are with the Donaldson Funeral Home, Massena, where condolences may be made online at http://www.donaldsonfh.com.