Jean Marie Grande
Obituary
Jean Marie Grande, of Venice, Florida, passed away peacefully on December 12, 2024, at the age of 66. Born on April 30, 1958, in Utica, New York, Jean was the beloved daughter of Ed and Jean Janiszewski.
Jean grew up in a close-knit family alongside her three sisters: Andrea Zaugg, Sharon Zaugg, and Pam O’Neil. As a young girl, she participated in the Utica Royaleers Drum and Bugle Corps, where she showcased her talent twirling both a baton and a rifle in addition to the French horn. These early experiences reflected her vibrant spirit and dedication to teamwork and artistry.
After graduating high school, Jean pursued higher education at Fischer Junior College in Boston. She earned a degree as an optometric technician and worked in Boston, becoming renowned for being able to teach anyone how to put in contacts properly. A diagnosis of myasthenia gravis, a rare autoimmune disease that affects the neuromuscular system, shortened her career and impacted the rest of her life.
Jean married her high school sweetheart, James Grande, and together they shared a remarkable 45 years of marriage. Their enduring bond was a testament to their love and commitment to one another. Despite her physical challenges, she was determined to have a child, and her perseverance was rewarded with the birth of her precious daughter Shannon.
Throughout her life, Jean faced significant health challenges with unwavering strength and resilience. She battled breast cancer and other illnesses with courage and determination that inspired all who knew her. Her warrior spirit was matched by her kind heart and caring nature—qualities that left an indelible mark on those around her.
Jean found joy in life’s simple pleasures and cherished spending time playing online crossword games with friends from near and far. A creative soul at heart, Jean had a passion for crafting that spanned many mediums. She excelled in cross-stitching, cake decorating, stamping, diamond dot art, and card making. Her creations were not only beautiful but also heartfelt expressions of her care for others. Her favorite time of year was Christmas where she loved to meticulously place cherished ornaments, several hand-made by her, around the tree and decorate the whole house with the holiday spirit. This included her love of baking so that many friends and family enjoyed getting packages with home made cookies.
Jean is survived by her devoted husband James Grande; her adoring daughter Shannon Contrastano and son-in-law Michael Contrastano; her loving sisters Andrea (Rick) Zaugg, Sharon (Jim) Zaugg, and Pam (Eric) O’Neill; as well as numerous niece’s and nephew's and grandnieces and grandnephews who brought joy to her life.
May Jean’s memory serve as a source of comfort to all who knew her. Her legacy of love, creativity, and perseverance will forever be cherished by those whose lives she touched.
There will be a funeral service and celebration of life at Corpus Christi church on May 23rd at 10:30 at 2001 Route 9, Round Lake, NY 12151.
Those wishing to donate in Jean’s memory, please consider Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (www.myasthenia.org).
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April 8, 2025
Remembrances 12
The winner…Villa Fusco Montessori school!
Jean’s MG, while managed, still took its toll during the day and often left Jean on the couch during Shannon’s early years. Back then treatments were fairly limited and the side effects would sometimes cause their own issues. Jean’s pill regimen grew over the years as MG medications evolved and treatments addressing side effects evolved right along with them.
As we looked around at day care options one option stood out…Villa Fusco Montessori school in Niskayuna, coincidentally right by the Research Lab worked. We really liked the Montessori method of teaching and school head was an imposing nun who also went to the culinary school and demanded well rounded meals for the little darlings! Shannon could explore new concepts at her own pace and Jean was good at following up in the evenings to reinforce new learnings. The ages were mixed and students could work together on projects and dive into pretty in-depth topics.
Of course the early days were tough in that Shannon would get into the car and sob and make us feel guilty…”How could you send me to the gulag” she would express in her own loud way! After discussing the matter with the coordinator she suggested I look in the window BEFORE I enter to pick her up. So I looked in the window only to see Shannon having a grand old time playing with her fellow students and finishing up a project and putting away the teaching materials. The little sh$# played us for sympathy! So young yet so diabolical! As I walked in the door and the tears started to flow I gave her my best dad “don’t you dare” look and of course she smiled. That was the last of the post school day production! Jean and I were quite relieved and the guilt melted away!
The winner…Villa Fusco Montessori school!
Jean’s MG, while managed, still took its toll during the day and often left Jean on the couch during Shannon’s early years. Back then treatments were fairly limited and the side effects would sometimes cause their own issues. Jean’s pill regimen grew over the years as MG medications evolved and treatments addressing side effects evolved right along with them.
As we looked around at day care options one option stood out…Villa Fusco Montessori school in Niskayuna, coincidentally right by the Research Lab worked. We really liked the Montessori method of teaching and school head was an imposing nun who also went to the culinary school and demanded well rounded meals for the little darlings! Shannon could explore new concepts at her own pace and Jean was good at following up in the evenings to reinforce new learnings. The ages were mixed and students could work together on projects and dive into pretty in-depth topics.
Of course the early days were tough in that Shannon would get into the car and sob and make us feel guilty…”How could you send me to the gulag” she would express in her own loud way! After discussing the matter with the coordinator she suggested I look in the window BEFORE I enter to pick her up. So I looked in the window only to see Shannon having a grand old time playing with her fellow students and finishing up a project and putting away the teaching materials. The little sh$# played us for sympathy! So young yet so diabolical! As I walked in the door and the tears started to flow I gave her my best dad “don’t you dare” look and of course she smiled. That was the last of the post school day production! Jean and I were quite relieved and the guilt melted away!
March 30, 2025
Remembrances 11
Work/life balance….I was only kidding!
Shannon was a colicy baby for the first 6 months of her life. We tried the usual remedies back then…a car ride, put her on the running dryer, try different formulas, but our go to solution was to place her in the old style baby carriage and go back and forth over the carpet to linoleum transition strip and the bump was just enough to lull her to sleep!
Another challenge occurred while my mom was changing Shannon’s diaper one day and she noticed that Shannon’s legs didn’t seem to work the same. After a visit to the doctor, she was diagnosed with hip dysplasia. Wearing a brace that restricts movement on one side to let her other hip develop and catch up for a month or so was challenging. However, we were getting used to dealing with medical issues and just took one day at a time and figured how to deal with it.
Over the next year as Shannon learned to walk and expanded her repertoire of things she could get into we realized that as she grew older and Jean’s MG produced good days and bad days we needed to look at day care options. Realizing that most day care places would not accept little darlings who were in diapers, we had tag teamed various ways to make using the toilet such an exceptional experience with various levels of success. Managing my work schedule made exploring options more complicated but we found an exceptional solution!
Work/life balance….I was only kidding!
Shannon was a colicy baby for the first 6 months of her life. We tried the usual remedies back then…a car ride, put her on the running dryer, try different formulas, but our go to solution was to place her in the old style baby carriage and go back and forth over the carpet to linoleum transition strip and the bump was just enough to lull her to sleep!
Another challenge occurred while my mom was changing Shannon’s diaper one day and she noticed that Shannon’s legs didn’t seem to work the same. After a visit to the doctor, she was diagnosed with hip dysplasia. Wearing a brace that restricts movement on one side to let her other hip develop and catch up for a month or so was challenging. However, we were getting used to dealing with medical issues and just took one day at a time and figured how to deal with it.
Over the next year as Shannon learned to walk and expanded her repertoire of things she could get into we realized that as she grew older and Jean’s MG produced good days and bad days we needed to look at day care options. Realizing that most day care places would not accept little darlings who were in diapers, we had tag teamed various ways to make using the toilet such an exceptional experience with various levels of success. Managing my work schedule made exploring options more complicated but we found an exceptional solution!
March 14, 2025
Remembrances 10
It’s your turn…does she ever sleep?
So life with baby was interesting to say the least. Unlike now, where husbands get 6 weeks of maternity leave at GE, I had my vacation time of two weeks and Jean really wanted to save that time! So the adjustment began after Jean’s mom helped out for a couple of weeks as we settled into a routine, if I can call it that! Jean would take care of Shannon during the day while I was at work and then literally hand off the baby to me for the rest of the evening, she was exhausted. The routine for the first 6 weeks of Shannon’s life while she was dealing with neonatal MG was to squirt some mestinon orally before her anticipated feeding time. Then you had to position the baby such that you could squeeze her cheeks with one hand and hold the bottle with the other! We got pretty good at anticipating feeding times because you needed to do this 30 minutes ahead of feeding! Imagine having to set the alarm for 2:30 in the morning so that you squirt the elixir in the mouth of a sleeping baby and then wait for her to wake up crying because she was hungry!
The one thing the MG didn’t affect were her cries! Man could this baby cry whenever we put her down in the crib! She’d be sound asleep in my arms and I would ever so gently place her in the crib while asleep. I would then move my hand microscopically and as soon as there was a gap between my hand and her body she would lift her head up with a look like “you weren’t thinking of leaving me were you?”
Jean was able to cook dinner and take care of the Shannon and was quite successful at balancing all aspects of a stay-at-home mom! However, we went through the usual parental discussion around how long to let the baby cry before we went back into the bedroom??? There were plenty of late nights in the rocker and one night Jean woke me up because I was rubbing her back and saying “it’s ok sweetie” while I was asleep! Too many late nights!
It’s your turn…does she ever sleep?
So life with baby was interesting to say the least. Unlike now, where husbands get 6 weeks of maternity leave at GE, I had my vacation time of two weeks and Jean really wanted to save that time! So the adjustment began after Jean’s mom helped out for a couple of weeks as we settled into a routine, if I can call it that! Jean would take care of Shannon during the day while I was at work and then literally hand off the baby to me for the rest of the evening, she was exhausted. The routine for the first 6 weeks of Shannon’s life while she was dealing with neonatal MG was to squirt some mestinon orally before her anticipated feeding time. Then you had to position the baby such that you could squeeze her cheeks with one hand and hold the bottle with the other! We got pretty good at anticipating feeding times because you needed to do this 30 minutes ahead of feeding! Imagine having to set the alarm for 2:30 in the morning so that you squirt the elixir in the mouth of a sleeping baby and then wait for her to wake up crying because she was hungry!
The one thing the MG didn’t affect were her cries! Man could this baby cry whenever we put her down in the crib! She’d be sound asleep in my arms and I would ever so gently place her in the crib while asleep. I would then move my hand microscopically and as soon as there was a gap between my hand and her body she would lift her head up with a look like “you weren’t thinking of leaving me were you?”
Jean was able to cook dinner and take care of the Shannon and was quite successful at balancing all aspects of a stay-at-home mom! However, we went through the usual parental discussion around how long to let the baby cry before we went back into the bedroom??? There were plenty of late nights in the rocker and one night Jean woke me up because I was rubbing her back and saying “it’s ok sweetie” while I was asleep! Too many late nights!
March 7, 2025
Remembrances 09
“Houston, we have a problem”
We immediately got Jean’s go bag and proceeded to the hospital since there were lots of preparatory work at the hospital in case of complications. Everything actually went pretty smoothly although the nurses kept telling us it’s a boy after listening to the baby’s heart beat and other signs I suppose. They gave Jean an epidural since they knew extended painful exertions would exacerbate her diminished lack of ability to push. Jean endured with her usual determination and appreciated having me there holding her hand and coaching her breathing! Finally, around 7:30 our baby was born. It’s a girl! Wait, what? A girl? Are you sure…..but you told me…yes, we’re quite sure!
We were so happy to hear her faint cries and Jean was filled with joy that she was able to deliver her baby since we weren’t sure how long she could endure the pushing involved in extricating a…ok, never mind. One look at her and we agreed that Shannon was her name.
Unfortunately, the post birth assessment yielded an APGAR score of 6 and Shannon was rushed to Neo-natal intensive care unit. As much as we were prepared for this, it was still a concern. The doctors told us that everything was under control and they were giving her mestinon orally to address Shannon’s MG symptoms. However, I noticed a nurse in tears in an adjacent room and the head nurse told us that she had accidentally given Shannon 10 times the prescribed dose but that they were monitoring her closely. Luckily, there were no deleterious effects and aside from a slightly flattened head, Shannon stabilized and came home after a few days. I didn’t miss the constant beeping sounds in neo-natal!
We had to learn how to squeeze Shannon’s cheeks while holding the bottle to get adequate sucking since she did not have enough strength to suck from the bottle nipple on her own.
Jean actually came home first which was a blessing to help her recovery and we went to the hospital to pick up our bundle of joy after a couple of days and our new bigger family began in earnest!
“Houston, we have a problem”
We immediately got Jean’s go bag and proceeded to the hospital since there were lots of preparatory work at the hospital in case of complications. Everything actually went pretty smoothly although the nurses kept telling us it’s a boy after listening to the baby’s heart beat and other signs I suppose. They gave Jean an epidural since they knew extended painful exertions would exacerbate her diminished lack of ability to push. Jean endured with her usual determination and appreciated having me there holding her hand and coaching her breathing! Finally, around 7:30 our baby was born. It’s a girl! Wait, what? A girl? Are you sure…..but you told me…yes, we’re quite sure!
We were so happy to hear her faint cries and Jean was filled with joy that she was able to deliver her baby since we weren’t sure how long she could endure the pushing involved in extricating a…ok, never mind. One look at her and we agreed that Shannon was her name.
Unfortunately, the post birth assessment yielded an APGAR score of 6 and Shannon was rushed to Neo-natal intensive care unit. As much as we were prepared for this, it was still a concern. The doctors told us that everything was under control and they were giving her mestinon orally to address Shannon’s MG symptoms. However, I noticed a nurse in tears in an adjacent room and the head nurse told us that she had accidentally given Shannon 10 times the prescribed dose but that they were monitoring her closely. Luckily, there were no deleterious effects and aside from a slightly flattened head, Shannon stabilized and came home after a few days. I didn’t miss the constant beeping sounds in neo-natal!
We had to learn how to squeeze Shannon’s cheeks while holding the bottle to get adequate sucking since she did not have enough strength to suck from the bottle nipple on her own.
Jean actually came home first which was a blessing to help her recovery and we went to the hospital to pick up our bundle of joy after a couple of days and our new bigger family began in earnest!
March 7, 2025
Remembrances 08
The big move
We had decided that we’d needed to be closer to family for support during the Jean’s pregnancy even though I loved consulting for ADL. My philosophy has always been that I can figure out how to have fun and be successful at any job I undertake and an opening occurred at my work study job at the GE Research & Development Center. So we made the most of the opportunity and moved to the Capital Region cutting 3 hours from any necessary trips by family. Luckily we hadn’t lived in the Somerville apartment long enough to accumulate many things so the move while exhausting for Jean, wasn’t too bad. All those years of moving back and forth for my 5 stints of school and work assignments finally paid off! Jean was getting adjusted to changes in her body during pregnancy and dealing with balancing the effects the pregnancy had on her MG. She didn’t appreciate her new lack of enthusiasm for dark chocolate but otherwise listened to her body and rested when needed and dealt with her double vision and general weakness.
Our first house was on a busy road in Glenville NY which was a stones throw from a small airport (military planes used the airport, more on that later!). There was quite an adjustment for us in getting used to owning a home for the first time, finding new friends, and acclimating to a new job during the pregnancy. Jean also spent a lot of time lining up new doctors and establishing links to Albany Medical Center which had the best doctors with experience with MG patients. All in all, the transition went smoothly and Jean kept getting bigger and growing more tired as each day progressed. We finally arrived at a few options for names but decided we’d know once we met him or her.
Then I got the call to work that fateful late morning from Jean that her water broke and it was time!
The big move
We had decided that we’d needed to be closer to family for support during the Jean’s pregnancy even though I loved consulting for ADL. My philosophy has always been that I can figure out how to have fun and be successful at any job I undertake and an opening occurred at my work study job at the GE Research & Development Center. So we made the most of the opportunity and moved to the Capital Region cutting 3 hours from any necessary trips by family. Luckily we hadn’t lived in the Somerville apartment long enough to accumulate many things so the move while exhausting for Jean, wasn’t too bad. All those years of moving back and forth for my 5 stints of school and work assignments finally paid off! Jean was getting adjusted to changes in her body during pregnancy and dealing with balancing the effects the pregnancy had on her MG. She didn’t appreciate her new lack of enthusiasm for dark chocolate but otherwise listened to her body and rested when needed and dealt with her double vision and general weakness.
Our first house was on a busy road in Glenville NY which was a stones throw from a small airport (military planes used the airport, more on that later!). There was quite an adjustment for us in getting used to owning a home for the first time, finding new friends, and acclimating to a new job during the pregnancy. Jean also spent a lot of time lining up new doctors and establishing links to Albany Medical Center which had the best doctors with experience with MG patients. All in all, the transition went smoothly and Jean kept getting bigger and growing more tired as each day progressed. We finally arrived at a few options for names but decided we’d know once we met him or her.
Then I got the call to work that fateful late morning from Jean that her water broke and it was time!
March 7, 2025
Remembrances 07
The big decision
Upon graduation from Northeastern and starting consulting for Arthur D. Little (no longer exists!) we moved to Somerville, MA and began our working life together. The daily struggles of dealing with MG took their toll and Jean slowly began working less and less. The discussion came up about having children and her ability to carry to full term a child seemed a daunting task. We were told that her MG could be managed during pregnancy BUT that the child might have MG symptoms for 4-6 weeks after birth but that s/he would not inherit the disease. We had discussed having several children during our dating days but reality sunk in and we realized that we’d be lucky to nurture one baby into our family! So Jean somehow got pregnant and our baby journey began!
In the fall of 1980 Jean shared the exciting news and we informed our parents via a Christmas card for grandparents with something to the effect of “…we’ll get to meet you in September!” Everyone was overjoyed with a little bit of trepidation mixed in! Jean’s feeling was, “we got this!”
The big decision
Upon graduation from Northeastern and starting consulting for Arthur D. Little (no longer exists!) we moved to Somerville, MA and began our working life together. The daily struggles of dealing with MG took their toll and Jean slowly began working less and less. The discussion came up about having children and her ability to carry to full term a child seemed a daunting task. We were told that her MG could be managed during pregnancy BUT that the child might have MG symptoms for 4-6 weeks after birth but that s/he would not inherit the disease. We had discussed having several children during our dating days but reality sunk in and we realized that we’d be lucky to nurture one baby into our family! So Jean somehow got pregnant and our baby journey began!
In the fall of 1980 Jean shared the exciting news and we informed our parents via a Christmas card for grandparents with something to the effect of “…we’ll get to meet you in September!” Everyone was overjoyed with a little bit of trepidation mixed in! Jean’s feeling was, “we got this!”
March 7, 2025
Remembrances 06
Living in Boston
Post marriage, we moved to Boston and found a one bedroom apartment,on the 3rd floor located in The Fens! We could hear Fenway park and I was a short walk to Northeastern to complete my final year for a Mechanical engineering degree. Jean could take the subway to work and I could walk to,classes and the Lab. Moving furniture into a third floor apartment without an elevator was great fun and Jean didn’t appreciate walking up those stairs everyday! I got a lot of studying done with my best college bud, Ted Johnson, also from Clifton Park, which helped me graduate the top of my class. I provided some warmed up meals during the week after Jean cooked during the weekends. There were two things about the apartment that I remember, one was the growth of mushrooms in the ceiling! The other was one morning when Jean was getting ready for work in the bathroom while I was dressing in the bedroom. I heard a blood curdling scream! I ran out half dressed only to find Jean in the kitchen pointing to me to the bathroom. I got the big door brace ready to slay the large beast that apparently invaded our bathroom only to find a cockroach scurrying away! jean was laughing her arse off when she realized that her double vision made this fairly large insect look MUCH bigger than reality! Henceforth, Jean didn’t wait to put her prism glasses on first thing!
Living in Boston
Post marriage, we moved to Boston and found a one bedroom apartment,on the 3rd floor located in The Fens! We could hear Fenway park and I was a short walk to Northeastern to complete my final year for a Mechanical engineering degree. Jean could take the subway to work and I could walk to,classes and the Lab. Moving furniture into a third floor apartment without an elevator was great fun and Jean didn’t appreciate walking up those stairs everyday! I got a lot of studying done with my best college bud, Ted Johnson, also from Clifton Park, which helped me graduate the top of my class. I provided some warmed up meals during the week after Jean cooked during the weekends. There were two things about the apartment that I remember, one was the growth of mushrooms in the ceiling! The other was one morning when Jean was getting ready for work in the bathroom while I was dressing in the bedroom. I heard a blood curdling scream! I ran out half dressed only to find Jean in the kitchen pointing to me to the bathroom. I got the big door brace ready to slay the large beast that apparently invaded our bathroom only to find a cockroach scurrying away! jean was laughing her arse off when she realized that her double vision made this fairly large insect look MUCH bigger than reality! Henceforth, Jean didn’t wait to put her prism glasses on first thing!
March 7, 2025
Remembrances 05
Pop goes the question
We had some figuring out to do after graduating from College for Jean and knowing that I still had a couple of years left at Northeastern. I decided that now would be a good time to propose since Jean could work in Boston and living in Boston BEFORE marriage would not be embraced (this was the late 70's remember). So after getting permission I proposed in my parents home's kitchen!
The wedding was a family affair since Jean wanted to make the wedding cake, Sweets (otherwise known as my very much older sister Lorraine) and Jean worked on the favors, and I labeled the invites using calligraphy. We worked in polka dancing practice in my parents closed garage and fulfilled Jean's dream of a beautiful wedding. The cake was a bit stressful due to size and complexity and assembling that morning while navigating wedding dress and hair was a testament to Jean's attention to detail and her ability to accomplish her vision!
Pop goes the question
We had some figuring out to do after graduating from College for Jean and knowing that I still had a couple of years left at Northeastern. I decided that now would be a good time to propose since Jean could work in Boston and living in Boston BEFORE marriage would not be embraced (this was the late 70's remember). So after getting permission I proposed in my parents home's kitchen!
The wedding was a family affair since Jean wanted to make the wedding cake, Sweets (otherwise known as my very much older sister Lorraine) and Jean worked on the favors, and I labeled the invites using calligraphy. We worked in polka dancing practice in my parents closed garage and fulfilled Jean's dream of a beautiful wedding. The cake was a bit stressful due to size and complexity and assembling that morning while navigating wedding dress and hair was a testament to Jean's attention to detail and her ability to accomplish her vision!
March 7, 2025
Remembrances 04
And so it begins…
During the summer of 1977, Jean started noticing her eyes drooping slightly (ptosis), double vision, and some weakness in her legs. She visited Peter Bent Brigham Hospital to try and get a diagnosis. After seeing a couple of doctors and electrical testing she was diagnosed as having myasthenia gravis. And I quote from a doctors report after a visit…”Thanks again for referring her. She is most interesting.”
Upon reflection Jean thought things might have started back in high school as a cheerleader. She started being on the bottom holding up other cheerleaders but found she couldn’t maintain her posture and had to move to the top. The symptoms would come and go but she was able to graduate and work full time but was dog tired at the end of the day. This was the beginning of her lifetime of mitigating one physical ailment after another, addressing side effects of one drug after another….all the while remaining steadfast in her desire to live as normal a life as possible!
And so it begins…
During the summer of 1977, Jean started noticing her eyes drooping slightly (ptosis), double vision, and some weakness in her legs. She visited Peter Bent Brigham Hospital to try and get a diagnosis. After seeing a couple of doctors and electrical testing she was diagnosed as having myasthenia gravis. And I quote from a doctors report after a visit…”Thanks again for referring her. She is most interesting.”
Upon reflection Jean thought things might have started back in high school as a cheerleader. She started being on the bottom holding up other cheerleaders but found she couldn’t maintain her posture and had to move to the top. The symptoms would come and go but she was able to graduate and work full time but was dog tired at the end of the day. This was the beginning of her lifetime of mitigating one physical ailment after another, addressing side effects of one drug after another….all the while remaining steadfast in her desire to live as normal a life as possible!
March 7, 2025
Remembrances 03
It’s all about the eyes!
During Jean’s senior year, she started to think more about college. She worked part time at White Opticians (or something like that) just down the block from her high school and found she enjoyed working with people and the technical aspects of contacts and glasses. This inspired her to apply to Fisher Junior College in Boston for their 2 year program for Optometric technician. She was accepted and figured we could withstand a long distance relationship since I was going to MVCC in their mechanical technology program. Of course I had other plans! I applied to Northeastern University in Boston to their mechanical engineering program so we’d be together! However, due to great planning on my part, I had to start during the summer while Jean was back home in Utica…just brilliant! At least it set us up to be in the same town during our time in college!
Jean loved her program and her new friends at Fisher! Living in Boston was a blast and she excelled in her studies while helping some classmates get through their coursework. During her second year she got a job working at the Korb’s opticians. In case you weren’t aware, Dr. Korb was one of the early innovators for soft and hard contact lens, very prestigious! They immediately recognized Jean’s superpower….she could train ANYONE to put in contact lens properly! They always steered the challenging ones to Jean!
It’s all about the eyes!
During Jean’s senior year, she started to think more about college. She worked part time at White Opticians (or something like that) just down the block from her high school and found she enjoyed working with people and the technical aspects of contacts and glasses. This inspired her to apply to Fisher Junior College in Boston for their 2 year program for Optometric technician. She was accepted and figured we could withstand a long distance relationship since I was going to MVCC in their mechanical technology program. Of course I had other plans! I applied to Northeastern University in Boston to their mechanical engineering program so we’d be together! However, due to great planning on my part, I had to start during the summer while Jean was back home in Utica…just brilliant! At least it set us up to be in the same town during our time in college!
Jean loved her program and her new friends at Fisher! Living in Boston was a blast and she excelled in her studies while helping some classmates get through their coursework. During her second year she got a job working at the Korb’s opticians. In case you weren’t aware, Dr. Korb was one of the early innovators for soft and hard contact lens, very prestigious! They immediately recognized Jean’s superpower….she could train ANYONE to put in contact lens properly! They always steered the challenging ones to Jean!
March 7, 2025
Remembrances 02
The scandal!
During my senior year at DeSales high school I decided to take some calculus classes at the local community college that was in walking distance to the HS. I still managed to walk Jean home on several occasions since she was a short distance to her home. However during the later half of the year I started to feel weak and developed a severe sore throat. Turns out I acquired mononucleosis and was even hospitalized since my throat was closing up with infection. Unfortunately I lost a couple of weeks of school to recover but coincidently, one of Jean’s best friends at school, Debbie Burrell (Lojewski) also came down with said mononucleosis. Since mono was referred to as the “kissing” disease it caused quite a stir back at school! I survived the ribbing from my classmates and Jean never thought anything of it! Thank goodness! I was actually quite innocent!
The scandal!
During my senior year at DeSales high school I decided to take some calculus classes at the local community college that was in walking distance to the HS. I still managed to walk Jean home on several occasions since she was a short distance to her home. However during the later half of the year I started to feel weak and developed a severe sore throat. Turns out I acquired mononucleosis and was even hospitalized since my throat was closing up with infection. Unfortunately I lost a couple of weeks of school to recover but coincidently, one of Jean’s best friends at school, Debbie Burrell (Lojewski) also came down with said mononucleosis. Since mono was referred to as the “kissing” disease it caused quite a stir back at school! I survived the ribbing from my classmates and Jean never thought anything of it! Thank goodness! I was actually quite innocent!
March 7, 2025
Remembrances 01
The Beginning
In high school while playing volleyball in what passed for a gym, I met Jean after she fell and I helped her up. Wow I thought, she’s kind of cute! After some inquiries, I discovered that she would consider trying a date which amounted to sitting together on the bus to away basketball games since she was a cheerleader and I was a bench warmer! After becoming fully enamored with her I bet my best friend, Dave Armitage $50 (which was a lot for a high school student in the 70’s!) that I’d marry this girl someday! Dave matched my bravado and bet me he’d marry his current girlfriend, Carol Seakan someday! As luck would have it, we both married our high school sweethearts and both managed at least 50 years together and saved ourselves $50 in the process! Quite a bargain!
The Beginning
In high school while playing volleyball in what passed for a gym, I met Jean after she fell and I helped her up. Wow I thought, she’s kind of cute! After some inquiries, I discovered that she would consider trying a date which amounted to sitting together on the bus to away basketball games since she was a cheerleader and I was a bench warmer! After becoming fully enamored with her I bet my best friend, Dave Armitage $50 (which was a lot for a high school student in the 70’s!) that I’d marry this girl someday! Dave matched my bravado and bet me he’d marry his current girlfriend, Carol Seakan someday! As luck would have it, we both married our high school sweethearts and both managed at least 50 years together and saved ourselves $50 in the process! Quite a bargain!
February 23, 2025
Jim and family,
As I watch the video of your life together I see how blessed you both were to have found each other. May you hold these memories close in your heart in the days to come. May Jean rest in peace …I am so sorry for loss. ❤️ Teresa Jabour -Blank
As I watch the video of your life together I see how blessed you both were to have found each other. May you hold these memories close in your heart in the days to come. May Jean rest in peace …I am so sorry for loss. ❤️ Teresa Jabour -Blank
February 19, 2025
Jim: I am very sorry to hear of Jean's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
February 18, 2025
Jim my sincere condolences to you and your family. Jean and you were a sweetheart couple right out of high school. The video for Jeans celebration of life was beautiful. The two of you had a wonderful life with looking at all the pictures. I've had Jean in my prayers when I first heard in December. I'll keep you all in my prayers. May God Bless her soul and may she RIP. 🙏🙏✝️ 💜
February 18, 2025
Such a beautiful tribute to Jean. Thoughts & prayers.
February 17, 2025
I never knew Jean Marie, but judging by those beautiful pictures, she had a precious, loving and dear Heart. I know that Jim has the same qualities and I’m sure that his happiness and joy and caring giving heart was a direct reflection of his marriage to her. May she rest in peace and may God bless and hold and comfort the Grande family.
February 17, 2025
Rest in Gods eternal peace I miss our Monday greetings Jean thanks for being you I will forever be thankful to have had you as a part of my life for the time I did . Jim ,Shannon and family I’m truly sorry for your loss 💔
Service
Please join us to pay a tribute to Jean.
While we mourn the loss of our dear Jean, we also aim to cherish the moments shared and the joy she brought into our lives.
While we mourn the loss of our dear Jean, we also aim to cherish the moments shared and the joy she brought into our lives.
Location
Corpus Christi church
Route 9, Round Lake, NY 12151
Route 9, Round Lake, NY 12151
Date/time
May 23rd at 10:30
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