Jean Marie Kellum

BENNINGTON- Jean Marie Kellum, 68, a resident of Bennington, Vermont passed away peacefully on December 30th 2023 at the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center. She was born in Bennington, VT on January 5th, 1955 to the late Joseph and Myrtle (Stemp) Betit. Jean attended elementary school at Sacred Heart School and graduated from Mount Anthony Union High School. She went on to attend one year of college at Berkshire Community College before furthering her education by completing Technical School Training at CDC and enrolling in VCC, focusing on secretarial and drafting for her studies. Jean was employed at Vermont Interactive Television as a camera technician for five years. She taught as a substitute teacher with the Southwestern Vermont Supervisory Union for two years and held part time employment at various stores around Bennington. She loved Christmas and Halloween. Jean was naturally creative and had a phenomenal skill of landscape painting and hand sketching. Architectural drawing was one of her favorite interests. She enjoyed listening to classical music, learning about astrology and nature. Jean was an animal lover. She collected minerals and was Secretary of the Southwestern Vermont Mineral and Gem Club. Survivors include a daughter, Amy Jean Kellum of Bennington, VT, a step-son, Kenneth Kellum of Florida; her brothers and sisters, Lawrence Betit of Bennington, VT, Mark Betit of Barre, VT, Denise Wetzel (Rick) of Fairborn, OH, Karen Wellspeak of Bennington, VT, Paul Betit (Steve Blasco) of Troy, NY, and Joseph Betit (Emily) of Bennington, VT. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins. Jean was predeceased by her husband, Fred W. Kellum in 2007. They were married in Fort Devins, MA on December 3rd 1974. She was also predeceased by a stepson, Terry Kellum, and a sister, Paula Davis. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, January 6, 2023, at 11:30 AM at Sacred Heart St. Francis de Sales Church in Bennington. Friends may call at the Mahar Funeral Home 628 Main Street in Bennington, VT on Saturday from 10-11am. A rosary service will be held at 11am. The burial will take place at the convenience of the family in the Vermont Veterans Cemetery, Randolph, VT where Jean will be laid to rest beside her husband. In lieu of flowers, memorials donations in honor of Jean may be made directly to the Second Chance Animal Shelter 1179 Vermont Rte 7A, Arlington, VT 05250 or the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 601 P.O. Box 4146 Bennington, VT 05201.