Jean Marie Carpenter

Jean Carpenter would not be pleased with this obituary. In fact, she made her grandchildren promise that “only the legal death notice” would be published. While her grandchildren (mostly) obeyed her, they felt it would be a disservice to her legacy to not share her life with others.

Jean a longtime resident of Palm Beach County, passed away on September 20, 2022 in Stuart, Florida.. She was born May 1, 1933 in Edmonston, MD to Wilbur and Margaret Brown and was one of nine siblings. In 1951 she married the love of her life, the late Joseph Carpenter, Sr. Over the next ten years she gave birth to four children: Bernadette Conger, Joe Carpenter, Jr. (Carmen), Jim Carpenter, Sr. (Bridgett) and Cathy Marinak (Matt).

Jean and Joe relocated to West Palm Beach, FL in 1957. Jean was a devoted and involved mother, spending her time raising her children and supporting her husband in his work. A “cradle to the grave” Catholic, Jean and Joe were founding members of Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church and she remain an active member until she moved out of the area.

After the passing of her husband in 1988, Jean committed herself to the service of others, volunteering with Hospice of Palm Beach County to support other families in their time of need. When not volunteering, she was a fixture on the sidelines and bleachers of events across the state of Florida, supporting her 10 grandchildren in every sport, activity or event they partook in.

Although Jean never attended college, she was a voracious reader with an extensive collection of books, and arguably one of the most well-read members of her family, subscribing to the Wall Street Journal and New York Times for many years, reading them cover to cover daily. She deeply valued the importance of education, which she instilled in all her children and grandchildren. As she put it, “I don’t support bad grades or bad behavior.” Her tough talk worked; she leaves a legacy that includes lawyers, educators, healthcare professionals and business leaders.

Jean’s family will miss her extraordinary creative ability. She was an exceptional seamstress, decorator and chef, teaching herself how to make delicate sugar flowers for the many birthday cakes she was enlisted to make.

But, what her children, grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren remember most, is that – put simply – she was there. There for birthdays, school plays, dance recitals, golf tournaments, hockey and football games, swim meets, Grandparents Day, lunch duty and awards ceremonies. There in times of crisis, and times of joy.

She led a life that set a standard for all; a walking example of what a life lived in faith can do for others. Her family will miss her presence more than words can express and hopes to honor her legacy as best they can.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Jean’s honor be made to the St. John Henry Newman Scholarship for students in need at Cardinal Newman High School.

Cardinal Newman High School

512 Spencer Drive

West Palm Beach, FL 33409