Virginia “Jean” Amoroso passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on June 17, 2022. She was born on August 26, 1942 to Lucy Sadler Burnham at Maine General Hospital in Portland, Maine. She attended South Portland High School and was a captain of the girls’ varsity basketball team. She was a member of the graduating class of 1960. A true Maine girl, Jean spent her entire life in South Portland growing up as a child in Ferry Village and the homes on Oak and Alfred streets she shared with her husband Ralph for sixty years. Jean was formerly employed by Dr Cole and then Dr Taylor where she enjoyed a career that spanned over 40 years.
Jean loved to travel and sightsee. She and Ralph traveled extensively throughout Maine, New England, and Canada enjoying the best sites and local traditions of Maine and New England. She went whitewater rafting and visited the Caribbean Island of Nevis with her friends from work. Jean visited Frankfurt, Germany and Honolulu, Hawaii. She enjoyed simple rides in the car through Portland, Cape Elizabeth, and South Portland.
Jean was a natural artist painting hundreds of scenery paintings, figurines and mementos that are cherished by family and friends. She also was a member of Sea Strokes of Maine Decorative Painters where she developed her painting talents with her fellow artists. Jean donated her art to raise funds for local charities. Besides her first passion for painting, Jean could often be found doing puzzles or playing any card or board game imaginable.
Jean was predeceased by her mother Lucy, brothers Walter and Gordon and sister Doris.
Jean loved being a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Jean is survived by her beloved husband Ralph, her three sons and their wives: Gino and Martha, John and Annette, and Vincent and Julie; six grandchildren: Amanda, Lynn, Brooke, Vincent, Pietro, and Francesca; eight great grandchildren: Kaya, Gino, Aron, Jack, Bella, Matthew, Lucy, and Vivienne.
Visiting hours for Jean will be held Wednesday from 4-7 PM at the Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St. Portland, Me. A funeral will be held at the funeral home Thursday at 11 am. The Rev. Carolyn Lambert will officiate.
A private graveside service will be held at Calvary Cemetery. Please visit www.jonesrichandbarnes.com for further information and to leave a tribute in Jean’s memory.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be to the American Lung Assoc., in Maine, 122 State St., Augusta, Me. 04330
