Obituary of Carolyn J. Jefferson

Carolyn Jane (Hess) Jefferson of Billerica, formerly of Tewksbury, passed away in the early morning hours of Sunday, August 23rd 2026. She was loving wife of the late Pano L. Jefferson, with whom she spent 32 wonderful years of marriage.

Born and raised in Easton, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of the late Paul W. Hess and the late Marie A. (Ehret) Hess Kindt, and stepdaughter of the late Donald E. Kindt. Carolyn was a graduate of Wilson High School in Wilson, Pennsylvania, class of 1961.

Prior to coming to Massachusetts, Carolyn worked at Sacred Heart Hospital in Allentown, Pennsylvania, in the Social Services Department, and at the Anna Marie restaurant, where she met her husband, Pano.

Pano and Carolyn later moved to Massachusetts, where Carolyn worked at Burlington Eye Associates in Burlington, MA as an Ophthalmologist’s Assistant for many years before retiring in 2006. Carolyn also had an eye for interior design, and enjoyed making her home beautiful.

Carolyn is survived by her two daughters, Laure Walliser-Fajardo and her husband, William Fajardo, of Tewksbury, Massachusetts, and Deanna Walliser and her husband, Joseph Zartler, of Northampton, Pennsylvania; and two stepchildren, Michael Jefferson and Despy Bales. She is also survived by her sister, Joan Hoffman and her husband, Carvel; three grandchildren, Ashley Walliser, Corinne Hoffman, and Douglas Gutekunst III, and two great-grandchildren.  Carolyn will be greatly missed by all who loved her, may she rest in eternal peace.

Visiting hours will be at the Graham Funeral Home, 3 Arlington Rd., Woburn, MA on Saturday morning, August 29 from 9:30-11:30 am, followed by a funeral service at the funeral home at 11:30 am. Burial will be at the Woodbrook Cemetery in Woburn.  In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her name to the Alzheimer’s Association, 320 Nevada Street, Suite 201, Newton, MA 02460 (www.alz.org)