Obituary of Jean Graves

It is with broken hearts that the family of Jean Elizabeth (Mahoney) Graves announces her peaceful passing, surrounded by her loving family, which occurred on Sunday, August 16, 2020, at the Saint John Regional Hospital. Born June 14, 1929, she was a daughter of the late Ernest and Lora (Mallery) Mahoney.

Jean graduated from St. Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing in 1950. She did private duty nursing for a few years and then worked 33 years in Labor and Delivery at St. Joseph’s, Saint John General Hospital, and Saint John Regional Hospital, retiring as Head Nurse in 1990. She even delivered the majority of her grandchildren. Upon her retirement, she lived at Green Acres, otherwise known as “Jean’s Paradise”. She attended St. Bridget’s Church and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. She was a member of St. Joseph’s Nurses Alumni, The Oromocto – Gagetown Liberal (Womens) Club, Jemseg Friendship Club, and The Irish Canadian Cultural Association of NB.

Jean loved her family above all else. She loved all the family gatherings and celebrating the special occasions and holidays, Christmas being her favourite. Any opportunity to be together, she would be there. She was an avid baker, pies being her specialty, and she loved quilting, passing on cherished quilts to all her family. She enjoyed birdwatching, especially hummingbirds, and planting her flowers. She was a world traveler, enjoying many trips to many places. Above all else, Green Acres was her place to be.

Jean is survived by her sons Michael (Maxine), James (Linda), and Patrick (Janet); daughters Janie Miller (Bill), Debra Richard, and Elizabeth Cochrane; brothers Reg Mahoney and Leo Mahoney (Donna); sisters Rita Bortolussi, Irene Goddard (John), Angela Henderson, Dianne Ganong; chosen daughters Glennis Raymond and Meridee Craft; as well as 18 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Aside from her parents, Jean is predeceased by her husband, George E. Graves; son-in-law Don Richard; brothers John, Ron, and Fred; sisters Loretta, Marie, Kathleen, and Lois.

As per mom’s wishes, there will be an Irish Wake at 21 Green Acres Dr., Jemseg. Come share a toast and memories. Starting at 2:00 PM on Saturday, August 22, 2020.

Resting at Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John, NB (634-7424) with visitation on Wednesday, August 19, 2020 & Thursday, August 20, 2020, from 2:00 – 4:00 & 6:00 – 8:00 PM. Guests will be asked to wear masks and to not wear any scents. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help on Friday, August 21, 2020, at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Donations in Jean’s memory may be made to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of Canada or to a charity of the donor’s choice.