Obituaries

Jean G. Morrissey, life-long Quincy resident, was born on New Year’s Eve, 1923, and died at home on April 18, 2013 at age 89. She was “Auntie Jeannie” to 33 nieces and nephews spanning three generations. She is the last of her family’s “Greatest Generation.”
Jean was the daughter of the late Anna J. (Burke) Morrissey and James F. Morrissey, and the loving sister and constant companion of the late Frances M. (Morrissey) Adams of Quincy. In retirement, both sisters travelled together, and shared suppers almost daily.
A devout Catholic and lifetime member of St. John the Baptist parish in Quincy, Jean was a member of St. John’s Sodality. She attended St. John’s Parochial School, Quincy Junior High School and Quincy High School, graduating in 1942. She began her working career with Bethlehem Steel at Quincy’s legendary Fore River Shipyard, just in time for the shipbuilding boom of WWII, and continued to work at “the yard” following the take-over by General Dynamics, retiring as Chief Telephone Operator in 1989 after 47 years. She was a member of the former Fore River retirees “Old-Timers Club.”

During her life, Jean found meaning in her faith, in her love of family, her family’s pet dogs, as well as her two much-loved cats. In years past, she travelled on summer vacations with her parents, driving on a number of occasions to her mother’s childhood home at Cardigan North in Prince Edward Island, Canada.

In 1953, Jean was the first person in her extended family to purchase a car -– a brand new Chrysler. She loved to drive, and her quiet, meek personality often belied her driving prowess, confident and with nerves of steel. In the 1960s, as her nephews attained driving and dating age, it is safe to say that without use of her ’63 Chevy Impala, they would have been dateless.

Jean was known by family, friends and neighbors to be generous, kind and loyal. It has been said by many that she never uttered a bad word about anyone. Her late sister once said of her honesty that “Jean would rather starve to death before she would take a crumb of bread from anyone without asking.” Her closest surviving family members, “Fran’s kids,” recount often how important she was to them growing up in difficult times, for her emotional support and strength, for outings to Nantasket beach, and for helping to provide Christmases and birthdays.

Jean was “Auntie” to thirty-three nieces and nephews spanning three generations, the latest arriving only a few weeks ago. Those who grew up with her in their lives have nothing but wonderful memories of her love for them, her kindness and gentle nature. She made each one feel a special and personal relationship with her. They visited her often, especially in the three years of her declining health, recounting their many loving memories of her.
Jean is survived by her loving family, niece Susan Reilly of Braintree, five nephews, the late Theodore “Ted” Adams, Jr., his widow, Glenda Adams of Marshfield, Richard and Caren Adams of Newton, Philip Adams of Quincy, Douglas and Iris Adams of Andover, James and Robyn Adams of Quincy, Billie Jo Adams of Walpole, as well as 27 of their children and grandchildren.

On Saturday, April 20th, a funeral Mass was celebrated at St. John’s, the church into which Jean was baptized, and where she attended Mass her entire life. Interment took place at Mount Wollaston Cemetery where her entire family is buried. Her family expresses their good fortune to have had her in their lives. “She continues to be part of us, and although we all share a bitter-sweet happiness that Jeannie is at peace today, we will miss her gentle presence for the rest of our lives.”

Jean’s family especially wishes to thank Sheryl Dwyer, Katie Wesner and Kathleen Lydon, who cared so affectionately for her for so many months, as well as Hospice of the South Shore, the South Shore Visiting Nurse Association, and her home health aides. Donations in her memory may be made to Jean’s favorite charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, and Hospice of the South Shore, 30 Reservoir Park Drive, Rockland, MA 02370-1055.