Jean Agnes Grieco

Jean was born on January 21, 1935 at Chester Hospital in Chester, Pennsylvania. She was the middle daughter of Wanda Ann Zarzycki, a polish immigrant, and Thomas Edward Hayes, a shipbuilder for SUN Shipping. Jean grew up in Chester, Pennsylvania.

Jean was raised with three siblings. Wanda Towson of Ridley Park, PA is her older sister and Barbara Everett of Delaware is her younger sister. Tommy Hayes of Virginia Beach, VA was her only brother. Jean and her siblings experienced rivalries typical of any family, but they were closest to each other when it came time to raise their own families. These four siblings produced 22 children.

As a young girl, Jean enjoyed playing and making up games. She loved to jump rope and she participated in all the High School dances. She attended and graduated from the all girl’s school, Notre Dame High School in Moylen, Pennsylvania in 1952. She had great respect for the catholic nuns who taught her, and she seemed to prefer her Spanish teacher the most. But the most fun to be had was simply playing and spending time with her friends.

Always considered a “good” friend to those she knew, Jean had several close friends during her lifetime. Barbara Neikam, and Joan McCafferty were her “best” childhood friends. Nancy Bishop, Loretta Lyons, and Joan Krum were indispensable friends when she was raising her children in Kingston, NY. Later in life, Jean was close to Carolyn Sheehan, and "Nikki.”

On August 29, 1953 Jean exchanged wedding vows with her childhood sweetheart, George Thomas Grieco, son of George J. Grieco and Helen King Grieco, at St. Michael's Catholic Church of Chester, Pennsylvania. A dedicated and loyal wife, Jean was committed to making her new family happy.

Jean was a typical homemaker. She dedicated her life to being a good mother to her children and she did her best to fulfill their needs by putting them first. Jean was blessed with six children: Joann, Catherine, Steven, Joseph, Frank, Wanda. Another blessing for Jean was the gift of nine grandchildren, Luke, Brian, Adam, Steven, Jessica, Joshua, Melanie, Jacob and Matthew.

Jean found pleasure in watching sporting events. She enjoyed following her favorite football teams every Sunday and Monday night. But mom was an avid watcher of all sports. She always had some sort of "game" on the television.

Throughout her life, Jean was involved in her children and grandchildren's activities. When residing in Kingston, NY, she was an active volunteer for the Girl Scouts and Little League.

Jean enjoyed vacations at the New Jersey shore. It was a chance for her to renew herself, to walk in the sand, to ride a bike on the boardwalk, and to feel the sun on her face. Her favorite vacation was getting away to Cape May in New Jersey.

Jean's faith was important to her. She was a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church since 1979. In fact, she is considered a "Chartered Member" by being the ninth family to register with the parish. Participating in the mass and singing the catholic hymns were her prayers and worship. She chose the hymns to be sung at her funeral by singing them to her daughters from her hospital bed.

Jean passed away on February 5, 2009 at her residence. Jean fought a brave battle against renal failure. She was on dialysis for nearly four years. She was courageous throughout it all, but an adverse reaction to coumadin significantly weakened her. Her final days were peaceful and pain free.

She is survived by her husband of 55 years George Thomas Grieco, six children, Joann Helen Dawson, Catherine Jean Grieco-Reeves, Steven George Grieco, Joseph Thomas Grieco, Frank Edward Grieco, Wanda Anne Goodman, nine grandchildren, Luke John Simmons, Brian George Simmons, Stephen Adam Reeves, Jessica Anne Grieco, Steven James Grieco, Melanie Jean Grieco, Jacob Michael Grieco, Matthew George Grieco, Joshua Mitchell Goodman, numerous nieces and nephews, two sisters, Wanda Towson of Ridley Park, PA, Barbara A. Everett of Newark, DE, and a brother Thomas Hayes and wife Margaret of Virginia Beach, VA, a brother-in-law, Donald James Grieco and wife Pat of Swarthmore, PA, and a sister-in-law, Geraldine McClurg of Florida. Services were held at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Jean was laid to rest in Carolina Memorial Park in Harrisburg, North Carolina.

Simply stated, Jean was a good and kind person, an individual who will for all time be remembered by her family and friends as being a caring and giving person, someone who was a vital part of their lives. Jean leaves behind her a legacy of life-long friendships and many cherished memories. Everyone whose life she touched will always remember Jean Agnes Grieco.