Ryegate, VT-  Jean Foster Malnati, 100, a long-time Barre, VT and Ryegate resident died on Wednesday, May 15, 2019 at the Jack Byrne Center, Lebanon, NH.

Jean was born in Groton, VT on February 11, 1919, to Ralph B. and Jessie M. (Smith) Foster.  She graduated from Groton High School, Class of 1936 and from the University of Vermont, Class of 1940, obtaining her teaching certificate.  On February 19, 1943, she married Walter A. Malnati.

Jean was a school teacher in Barre Town for several years and then, along with her husband, she operated Malnati Dry Cleaners in Barre from 1947 until her retirement in 1980.

Jean was a member of the Hedding United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women in Barre.  Locally, she attended the Ryegate Corner Presbyterian Church.  She was a former member of McLure's Band, the Charity Chapter OES in Williamstown, VT, and was Past President of the VFW # 790 Auxiliary in Barre, along with being a hospice volunteer in the Barre area.  She resided in Barre most of her life prior to her move to Ryegate in 2006.

She was predeceased by her husband, Walter Malnati in December 1989 and by two sisters, Dorothy Welch and Martha Rogers.

She is survived by a sister, Julia Crocker of East Ryegate; two nieces; nine nephews; and several grand nieces and nephews.

There will be no calling hours.

A graveside service will be on Wednesday, May 29, at 3 PM at the Groton Village Cemetery in the old section.