Jean T. Bach

Jean Tedford Bach, 97, of Watertown, died Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at Samaritan Summit Village surrounded by her family.

She was born March 9, 1928 in Fort Fairfield, Maine, the daughter of Monie L. and Mildred Tibbetts Tedford and step-daughter of Irene Brannen Tedford.

Growing up in rural Maine, she attended nine schools due to her father’s frequent moves with the U.S. Boarder Patrol. After she graduated from Bridgewater Classical Academy in Bridgewater, Maine, the family moved to Waddington, NY Jean worked in New York City for a year before attending and graduating from Potsdam State Teachers College. She taught elementary school in Waddington and Rochester, NY.

Taking time off from teaching, she and a friend traveled west to ski and work in Alta, Utah with ski trips to Sun Valley, Idaho and Baniff, Canada before visiting San Francisco. Their travels continued through Egypt and Europe.

Upon returning to the Northeast, she met Robert Frederick Bach of Massena, a civil engineer with New York State Department of Transportation. They married September 14, 1957and lived and raised five children in Saranac Lake, NY before moving to Watertown in 1982. Robert died November 30, 1984.

Jean felt strongly about the importance of volunteering. She was active throughout her life with volunteer work in her community including Hospice, the Historical Society and Samaritan Hospital Auxiliary.

Surviving are a daughter Barbara Bach, Casselberry, FL, sons, William (Sheila), Senoia, GA, David (Alicia), Black River, NY, Tedford, Lowville, NY, daughter, Carolyn Emond, Constantia, NY, sixteen grandchildren, six great grandchildren, a brother, James (Laila) Tedford, Park City, Utah, two nephews and a niece. She was predeceased by her parents, sisters Lorraine Steans and Pauline Tedford.

A funeral service will be held Monday, May 12, 2025 at 11 am at First Presbyterian Church with Reverend Julia Sprague Wright. Burial will follow in Brookside Cemetery.

Contributions may be made to Trisomy 21 of Northern New York, 221 Park Drive East, Watertown, NY 13601, an affiliate of the National Down Syndrome Society and Congress.

Arrangements are with D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc. Online condolences may be made to www.dlcalarco.com

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