Norwich — Jean Bergendahl, 88, of Evergreen Valley Farm in North Franklin, passed away peacefully Sept. 20, 2023. In her final days she was surrounded by her loving family. Jean was born in Norwich, to the late John and Ellen (Snow) Rogers.

Jean and her parents split their time between Norwich, and Winter Park, Fla. She graduated from Mitchell College in 1955 and was crowned Snowball Queen in 1955. She married the love of her life, Dr. Gilbert Bergendahl, in 1957, and they enjoyed 40 wonderful years of marriage before his passing on Nov. 20, 1997.

Jean’s life was filled with family, dogs, horses, camping, snowmobiling and traveling. She is survived by her three children, Brenda Brostek and her husband Michael, John Bergendahl and his wife Kimberly and Lynn Jorsz and her husband Bill. She adored her grandchildren: Melissa Jorsz, Timothy Jorsz, Zachary Brostek, Thomas Bergendahl and Meredith Bergendahl.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, at Park Congregational Church, 283 Broadway, Norwich. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her honor to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, https://www.aspca.org/