Jean was born in Schenectady, New York to C.J. Patterson and Rose Hamell Patterson on October 19, 1924. She graduated from The College of Saint Rose in Albany,NY, valedictorian of the class of 1946. She was employed immediately as a biochemist for Lederle Laboratories in Pearl River, NY where she met fellow research chemist and future husband Nicholas Passarello. They were married October 8, 1949 in Pearl River, where they lived for the next 36 years, raising five daughters. Jean was a full-time mother while her children were growing up and used her extraordinary skills as a seamstress to sew matching outfits for her daughters for every special occasion. She re-entered the work force as a science teacher at Pearl River High School in 1969. She left teaching and returned to Lederle as a technical writer and retired from there in 1985. She and Nick moved to Atlanta that year to be close to several of their daughters and grandchildren. Jean led a full life in retirement, volunteering her time in the media centers of Jackson Elementary, Sutton Middle School and North Atlanta High School. She was an avid reader and particularly admired the works of Flannery O’Connor, William Trevor and Joan Didion. She was a serious gardener and spent hours each day working in her yard. Jean was known for her quick wit and sense of humor. She was extremely well read on world issues and engaged her friends and especially grandchildren in lively debate. She was an excellent cook and hosted weekly family meals and the famous annual Christmas Eve Italian dinner for her large family.
Jean is survived by her five daughters: Nicola Passarello of Sylva, NC, Suzy Quenzer of Atlanta, Dey Mathews (Scott) of Atlanta, Liza Llewellyn (David) of Atlanta and Mimi Passarello (Rich Pearlman) of Pittsburgh, PA. She is also survived by eight grandchildren: Teddy Quenzer, Kate Quenzer (Mohammad Mansour), James Mathews, Bradley Mathews, Christopher Llewellyn (Lisa), Jarrett Llewellyn Price (Tamara), Andy Pearlman (Jaime Cohen), and Nick Pearlman, and great-granddaughter, Penelope Rose Price, as well as 16 nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at H.M. Patterson & Son- Spring Hill Chapel in Atlanta on Saturday, November 9 at 11am. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in memory of Jean Rose Passarello to any of the following organizations: Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, NAMI Northside Atlanta and the Pajama Reading Program of Atlanta.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.9.5