A strong, hard working woman with a compassionate heart
MELROSE — Jeanne M. Mongillo, a longtime resident of Melrose, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 13, 2023 at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital, at age 72.
Jeanne was born in Brooklyn, New York on September 13, 1950, one of two daughters of the late Else (Reinertsen) Oerter and Joseph McGowan. She was raised and educated in Middletown, New Jersey and received her Nursing Degree from Clara Maass School of Nursing in Belleville, NJ in 1972. She was married in 1974 to Raymond Mongillo, and settled in Melrose to start a family.
Jeanne was a strong, hard working woman with a compassionate heart, and lifelong desire to help those most in need. Through her career as a Registered Nurse in Boston, she was an inspirational advocate for her patients who often were the most vulnerable and in need of personal care in Public Health, Maternal Health, Home Health, and Pediatrics.
When not working, Jeanne greatly enjoyed traveling to the Caribbean and visiting her home on Cape Cod where she could relax, and recharge. Her home in Harwich was her haven for many years, and she was happiest spending a day reading a book at the beach or tending to her vegetable garden, catching some live music and dancing (especially the Grab Brothers Band), and breakfast at local family owned restaurants on the Cape. She had a soft spot in her heart for dogs and enjoyed the companionship of the many dogs in her life.
Most of all, Jeanne was a caring and devoted wife and mother. She loved her family, and held close to her heart many happy memories. While strong willed and independent, Jeanne had an incredibly compassionate heart, which she shared with all, enriching the lives of those around her. Jeanne will be deeply missed, but always lovingly remembered.
Jeanne was the beloved wife of Raymond J. Mongillo with whom she shared 48 years of marriage. Devoted mother of Alison Mongillo of Everett. Dear sister of the late Diane Zerr. Family and friends are respectfully invited to gather in honor of Jeanne’s life during visiting hours at Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Friday, March 17 from 9:30-11 a.m., followed by her funeral service at 11 a.m. Gifts in memory of Jeanne may be made to Tufts Medical Center Neuro-Oncology Program, 800 Washington St., #231, Boston, MA 02111 or to the ASPCA, PO Box 96929, Washington, DC 20090. For online tribute, please visit RobinsonFuneralHome.com.
