Obituary for Jean M McDermott (Monaghan)
Jean M. McDermott, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 20, 2021 surrounded with the comfort of her loving family.
Born June 7, 1928 in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, Jean was the daughter of Francis A. and Catherine Segrave Monaghan.
A dedicated student, Jean received a Bachelor’s of Music at Caldwell College (now University) and later a Master’s of Education in Administration from Seton Hall University. She had a vibrant career as a music educator retiring as the Supervisor of Fine Arts for the Westfield Board of Education.
A loving wife to John P. (Jack) McDermott, the two wed at Holy Trinity Church in Westfield on April 2, 1956. They resided and raised their family in Westfield, later moving to Basking Ridge.
A woman of incredible faith and a devout Catholic, Jean was a parish organist at St. Anne’s Church of Garwood for over 30 years. She then served on the Parish Council of Parish Community of St. Helen and the Board of Education of Holy Trinity School. Later, she joined the congregation of St. Vincent De Paul, Stirling. She was an active member of the parish community including The Rosary Society. She found much joy and peace at St. Vincent's, not to mention made many friends, especially Peggy and Fr. Richard.
Jean was a volunteer at Friends of the Children's Specialized Hospital for over 10 years. Fiercely independent, Jean loved to travel, play bridge with the St. James and Westfield crews and Rummikub with her friends at Arbor! She also enjoyed Papermill shows with a mix of Westfield and Basking Ridge friends.
Jean is survived by her children John P. McDermott Jr. and his wife Dr. Sharon Burke of Leland, North Carolina, Maura Shea of Upton, Massachusetts, and Monica McDermott Bergin of Westfield. Known to her grandchildren as “GG”, she was a loving grandmother to Caitlin, Patrick, his wife Lanie and Caroline Shea, Catherine, Margaret (Maggie) and Nora Bergin. As well as her loving caretaker, Ann, and her napping/guard grand-dog, Disney.
Jean is predeceased by her loving husband, Jack and son-in-law Kevin F. Shea
Services will be held at St. Vincent De Paul on Thursday February 25, 2021. Visitation begins at 10:15 AM followed by Funeral Mass at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Saint Vincent's 250 Bebout Avenue, Stirling, NJ 07980, in Jean “GG”s memory.
A live stream of the Funeral Mass will be broadcast on https://www.stvincentschurch.org/church-video
Born June 7, 1928 in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, Jean was the daughter of Francis A. and Catherine Segrave Monaghan.
A dedicated student, Jean received a Bachelor’s of Music at Caldwell College (now University) and later a Master’s of Education in Administration from Seton Hall University. She had a vibrant career as a music educator retiring as the Supervisor of Fine Arts for the Westfield Board of Education.
A loving wife to John P. (Jack) McDermott, the two wed at Holy Trinity Church in Westfield on April 2, 1956. They resided and raised their family in Westfield, later moving to Basking Ridge.
A woman of incredible faith and a devout Catholic, Jean was a parish organist at St. Anne’s Church of Garwood for over 30 years. She then served on the Parish Council of Parish Community of St. Helen and the Board of Education of Holy Trinity School. Later, she joined the congregation of St. Vincent De Paul, Stirling. She was an active member of the parish community including The Rosary Society. She found much joy and peace at St. Vincent's, not to mention made many friends, especially Peggy and Fr. Richard.
Jean was a volunteer at Friends of the Children's Specialized Hospital for over 10 years. Fiercely independent, Jean loved to travel, play bridge with the St. James and Westfield crews and Rummikub with her friends at Arbor! She also enjoyed Papermill shows with a mix of Westfield and Basking Ridge friends.
Jean is survived by her children John P. McDermott Jr. and his wife Dr. Sharon Burke of Leland, North Carolina, Maura Shea of Upton, Massachusetts, and Monica McDermott Bergin of Westfield. Known to her grandchildren as “GG”, she was a loving grandmother to Caitlin, Patrick, his wife Lanie and Caroline Shea, Catherine, Margaret (Maggie) and Nora Bergin. As well as her loving caretaker, Ann, and her napping/guard grand-dog, Disney.
Jean is predeceased by her loving husband, Jack and son-in-law Kevin F. Shea
Services will be held at St. Vincent De Paul on Thursday February 25, 2021. Visitation begins at 10:15 AM followed by Funeral Mass at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Saint Vincent's 250 Bebout Avenue, Stirling, NJ 07980, in Jean “GG”s memory.
A live stream of the Funeral Mass will be broadcast on https://www.stvincentschurch.org/church-video