Jean E Ericson

Jean Elizabeth Ericson, a devoted mother and grandmother, beloved spouse, respected attorney, and passionate patron of the arts, passed away peacefully on May 11, 2024, at her home in Manhattan, New York, surrounded by her loving family. She was 70. The cause was complications related to multiple sclerosis, a disease she confronted with characteristic fortitude and grace for many years.

Jean was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on March 12, 1954, to George R. and Christine Vaudo Ericson. George was a commercial real estate broker, and Christine worked as bookkeeper and office manager for a local construction firm. An only child, Jean was raised by her mother in Arlington, Massachusetts. Her early life was marked by a vibrant intellect, a deep curiosity about the world, and incredible talent as a pianist. She was also a charming and outgoing young member of a tight-knit community of families in her neighborhood.

Jean was an outstanding student at Arlington’s public schools, excelling and reveling in dramatics at Arlington High School. Her talents then flourished at Brown University, where she worked as a DJ at the campus radio station. After graduating with honors in 1975 as part of Brown’s first coeducational class, Jean went on to Harvard Law School. Between college and law school she worked as an intern in the office of the Mayor of Boston, Massachusetts, which left her with a lifelong interest in politics.

It was at Harvard Law where Jean met and fell in love with her future husband, John. They wed in 1983 in New York City, made their home on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, and joyously welcomed three daughters: Elizabeth, Catherine, and Charlotte. Throughout her life, Jean's role as a mother was paramount. Along with John, she instilled in her daughters the values of courage, compassion, and intellectual curiosity, nurturing their growth with unwavering love and dedication.

Jean practiced corporate and not-for-profit law at Simpson Thatcher & Bartlett and later at The Ford Foundation, where she was a respected, hard-working colleague and a valued friend to many. As a member and then president of her co-op board for many years, Jean advocated for her neighbors’ concerns with the same fervor she devoted to her family, addressing issues with diplomacy and a keen sense of fairness. But her heart was always first and foremost with her family. She balanced her professional commitments with her role as a mother, always finding time to engage deeply in her daughters' education and activities.

As part of that engagement, Jean harnessed her enthusiasm for the arts to enrich her family's life. She was an ardent lover of Broadway, classical music and Impressionist art, often sharing these passions with her daughters during visits to theaters and museums. Among her other passions were Coffee Heath Bar Crunch ice cream and the New York Mets. Her musical tastes, which included the ballads of The Beatles and the soulful melodies of Motown, became a beloved soundtrack to many family gatherings. Jean also had a remarkable sense of style, often seen browsing, and sometimes buying, at Bloomingdale's on 59th Street, where she combined her love for fashion with impeccable taste.

Jean loved long walks along the shores of Cape Cod, where she cherished the time spent with her family. Her other personal joys included reading Anthony Trollope and contemporary biographies; watching British crime dramas and the annual Oscars awards; and having her toes perennially painted red, embodying her vibrant spirit. Jean had an infectious, easy and unforgettable laugh. Her sense of humor ranged from the silliness of Peter Sellers to the satire of Jon Stewart, although her favorite comedian was her husband. And she smiled from her whole being.

Jean’s family will honor her life and memory in a private ceremony on her beloved Cape Cod early this summer. In recognition of her valiant fight against multiple sclerosis and her dedication to nurturing future generations, Jean’s family requests that donations be made in her honor to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Jean was a courageous and accomplished woman, a loving daughter, wife, mother and grandmother. Her gentle spirit, her compassion, honesty, perseverance, humor, and open heart will live on through her family and in those who were touched by her life. Jean taught her family how to maintain strength in adversity, how to love without condition, and how to be grateful for every new day. She leaves behind a profound legacy of love, intellectual fervor, cultural enrichment, and fierce loyalty. Jean is survived by her husband, John Gellene; daughters, Elizabeth Gellene, Catherine Gellene, and Charlotte Gellene; sons-in-law, Ricardo Bustos and Tim Mensel; and granddaughter, Eva Bustos.

https://donate.nationalmssociety.org/campaign/In-Memory-of-Jean-Ericson