Jeanne A. Meisels

A devoted and beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, and art instructor, Jeanne was the cherished daughter of John and Margaret Kresse (née Booth) and sister of John Kresse, all of whom predeceased her.

Jeanne was born and raised in Astoria, Queens. She is a graduate of Newtown High School in Elmhurst, Queens, and The Art Students League of New York in Manhattan. Jeanne moved to St. Pauls Avenue in Stapleton in 1965, where she raised her family and lived until her passing.

Jeanne was a talented artist and gifted art instructor. Excelling across various media, but particularly in oil, pastel, and printmaking, Jeanne is known for her work depicting homes, neighborhoods, and waterfronts on Staten Island’s North Shore and throughout New York City. However, it was as an art instructor —most notably at the Art Lab at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center, but also at the Goodhue Center and senior centers throughout Staten Island—that Jeanne left her most indelible mark, spending decades instructing and inspiring thousands of students, of all ages and levels of experience, to nurture and develop their creative and artistic talents.

Jeanne was passionate, imaginative, and able to find beauty in every facet of life. In turn, Jeanne will be remembered by those who knew and loved her for her sense of humor, strength, and tenacity. Jeanne is survived by her children, Leonora (Peter) Batten and Ronald Meisels, her grandson, Michael Batten, her nephews, John (Suzann) and Michael (Lisa) Kresse and countless friends, colleagues, and students who will mourn her passing and always remember, cherish, and celebrate her presence in our lives.

A visitation for Jeanne will be held Sunday, June 30, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Harmon Funeral Home, 571 Forest Ave, Staten Island, NY 10310.

Jeanne’s interment will be held Monday, July 1, 2024 at 12:00 noon at Moravian Cemetery, 2205 Richmond Road, Staten Island, NY 10306. A celebration of life for Jeanne will be held immediately thereafter, where guests are invited to informally speak and share stories or memories of Jeanne.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jeanne’s memory may be made to Art Lab, Inc. at https://artlabsi.com/about/donate/.