Published in the August 2, 2019 edition.
WAKEFIELD — Jean Marie Halloran, 91, passed away peacefully on July 30, 2019 at the Melrose-Wakefield Hospital where she had entered this world 91 years ago on July 18, 1928. A lifelong Wakefield resident, Jean attended St. Joseph’s, St. Patrick’s and then attended and graduated from Wakefield High School, where she was a member of the cheerleading squad.
Jean started her working career at Parke Snow’s before taking a long-term full time position at American Mutual Insurance Co. as a section supervisor. This was the job she worked while raising her family of three children – no small feat in and of itself. This small family would increase over the years to include sons-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren – all of whom she was so proud of as they found their way in their own lives.
Nana Jean was an accomplished cook and baker who provided a steady supply of her famous banana breads and cookies to her family and friends – including her Christmas clam chowder – right up to the end of her life, while her family always showed appreciation for her efforts. She was an avid reader whose book shelves held a wide assortment of authors and subjects. Jean was also always ready to discuss any Boston sports team that was currently over or under achieving. She rarely asked for help in fixing things around her apartment, as her tool box was as fully equipped with tools as her mind was with knowledge from watching “This Old House” and other related programs.
Jean always looked forward to her annual vacation trips to visit her children at Lake Winnipesaukee, the Maine seacoast and New York City, where she loved to walk the streets of Manhattan, attend a Broadway show and take a cab to Patsy’s for pizza – where she always insisted on picking up the tab.
Jean was the beloved daughter of Edward and Julia Butler, and the sister of Marion Kendrick, Jack and Annette Butler and Clare Myers. Jean was the loving mother of Sheila (Halloran) Chapman married to Clifford Chapman of Woburn, Colleen (Halloran) Harrington married to Daniel Harrington of Andover, and Michael Halloran married to Reynold Tan of New York City. She was grandmother to Adam Chapman married to Meghan (Goldstein) Chapman, Nathan Chapman, Patrick Harrington married to Page (Hamilton) Harrington and Meghan (Harrington) McLaughlin married to Kevin McLaughlin. She was a proud great-grandmother to Jacob and Catherine Chapman and Thomas McLaughlin. She is also survived by many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.
Jean was the loving matriarch of our family, who led by example: constantly providing gifts, food and clothes to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and anyone in need. Our family could not have chosen a more gracious, considerate, kind and loving person to lead us through life. We are all forever grateful for her influence on our lives and will miss her loving smile. Jean will be interred at Puritan Lawn Memorial Park in Peabody in a private service for the immediate family.
Arrangements in the care of the McDonald Funeral Home, Wakefield.
