Jean Kleespies, age 83, went to Our Lord on April 28, 2018. Jean was born on October 19, 1934 to Mateo & Virginia Nera in Phoenix, Arizona. At a very young age after the loss of her father, her mother married Joe B. Martinez. Jean graduated in 1952 from Phoenix Union High School and from Phoenix College with a Phi Theta Kappa honor. Jean married Wayne Higgins and had her first daughter Virginia. After the ending of her two-year marriage, four years later she married John Varela and had her second daughter Rebecca Ann. After the passing of her husband John four years later, Jean raised her daughters on her own for almost 11 years. She joined and volunteered with “Parents Without Partners,” a social activities group, where she met her third husband Phillip Kleespies. They were married for 25 years until his passing.
Jean was full of wisdom and advice, always willing to help others in need. Jean worked at Nationwide Finance and retired from the State of Arizona Department of Economic Security in 1997. Jean attended St. Simon and Jude Cathedral Church, where she volunteered and participated at services. She had a passion (green thumb) for gardening and crocheting and enjoyed dancing, playing the piano, bingo, bowling, casinos, and attending events with both the Glendale and Ahwatukee Recreation Centers. In her younger days, she was a good badminton player and was an avid football, baseball and basketball sports watcher. Her greatest love, pride and joy were her two daughters, Virginia and Rebecca.
Jean is preceded in death by her parents Virginia & Joe Martinez, sister Margie Eaves (Martinez), and brother Nick Martinez. She is survived by her daughters Virginia Jackson (Lester), Rebecca Varela (Bob); granddaughters whom she so loved and was proud of, Jessica Jackson Wilson (Jonny), Amanda Jackson Gilmore (Jimmy), Brianna Jackson(Devon); great-grandson whom she adored Everett James Gilmore; siblings, George Nera (Mitzi), Patricia Richardson, Joe Martinez (Sheila); Aunts, Lily Santos, Irene Sterling; nieces, nephews, great-nieces & nephews; cousins and the many friends she made throughout her life. Jean will be missed by all.
Jean was a loving, strong, fun, respectful, thoughtful, caring woman whose strength she instilled upon her daughters and granddaughters. She was the best Mom and best friend any daughter could have. Mom, our hearts are breaking. You ARE our rock. We pray to be able to carry on your love and strength the rest of our lives until we can embrace your loving arms again in God’s Home. We love and miss you.
