Jean A. Richards, 85, died peacefully surrounded by family on Tuesday, March 8, 2011, at St. Patrick's Manor in Framingham. She was born on May 3, 1925 in Northfield, the daughter of George E. and Irene (Turner) McGowan and was raised in Framingham. She was the widow of F. Peter (Lucky) Manzella, who died in 1959, and Dr. William A. Richards, who passed away in 2005. A graduate of Framingham High School with the Class of 1943, Jean entered the Framingham Union Hospital School of Nursing, where she served in the US Cadet Nurse Corps and became an RN in 1946. In 1975, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing Administration from St. Joseph's College in Standish, Maine. Her nursing career began in the blood bank of Framingham Union Hospital and continued with the Framingham School Department and Camp Patoma in Holliston. She retired from her position as a head nurse at Cushing Hospital. She shared her compassion by establishing and serving as co-chair of the Human Rights Committee for Advocates, Inc. and on the board of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. She was an active member of St. Cecilia's Parish in Ashland where she served as a lector and a Eucharistic minister. She was a devoted mother and grandmother leaving two sons, Peter Manzella and his wife, Marilyn, of Framingham and Paul Manzella and his wife, Nancy, of Marlborough; step-children William Richards of Marlborough, Daphne Bjork of South Dennis, and Bradley Richards of Franklin; grandchildren Nathan Manzella of Sunderland, Aaron Manzella of Framingham, Brenna Dohanian, Joseph, and Abigail Manzella all of Marlborough; step-grandchildren Christopher, Nicholas, and Haley Richards of Franklin; as well as many nieces and nephews. There will be calling hours on Friday, March 11, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Matarese Funeral Home, 325 Main Street in Ashland. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, March 12, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. at St. Cecilia's Church, 54 Esty Street in Ashland followed by burial at St. Stephen's Cemetery in Framingham. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, c/o St. Cecilia's Parish, 54 Esty Street, Ashland, MA 01721.