Jean Danforth, 92, passed away peacefully at home January 18, 2021 with her family by her side. Born and raised in Newtown, Pennsylvania, Jean met the love of her life, John, in Washington, D.C. where she worked as a secretary to the head of the Library of Congress while he attended medical school. They married in 1959 and moved to Mesa in 1964 where John practiced pediatrics until his death in 2006. Throughout her life, Jean was a devout Catholic who demonstrated immense faith in all circumstances. She was an avid golfer and tennis player, talented cook, and voracious reader who enjoyed needlepoint and trips to Leucadia, California for vacations on the beach. A loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, Jean had a unique way of making everyone feel special and loved. She was happiest when surrounded by family and friends in a house filled with joy and laughter. Reunited in eternal life with her husband John, son Pete, daughter Mary Jean, and brother Gerald (Babe), she will be dearly missed by her children Tom, Steve (Tara Lynn), Lisa, Chris (Mindy), Paul (Johanna), Molly and Catey, 13 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren, as well as her brother Bill, sister Terry, and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Visitation and rosary will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, January 28 at Melcher’s Chapel of the Roses, 43 S. Stapley Drive in Mesa. Funeral mass will be held Friday, January 29 at 10 a.m. at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church at 2213 N. Lindsay Rd., with interment to follow at the Mesa City Cemetery. Note: Due to the pandemic, potential attendance restrictions will be imposed at all venues. In lieu of flowers, the Danforth family requests donations be made to Child Crisis Arizona at www.childcrisisaz.org. Additional event information will be provided for a future celebration of Jean’s life later this year.
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