Jean Ann (Geary) Sisson

Jean Ann Sisson, of Belmont, MA, passed away peacefully Saturday, February 15, 2025 at the age of 91, joining her beloved husband, Howard in heaven, along with her sisters Louise and Ruth and brother John. 

She leaves behind her four children; Maureen Rekrut (Michael), Michael Sisson (Mary Lisa), Paula McBride (John), and Mary Beth Pessia (the late Paul Pessia).  Jean was the adored Nana to her 8 grandchildren, their significant others, and all their friends who knew “Nana!”.  She showered her love on her 14 great-grandchildren ranging in age from 9 to 4 months.  She is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Patricia Kane and Marlee Poirier, along with scores of nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held at the MacDonald, Rockwell and MacDonald Funeral Home on Thursday, February 20, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. followed by a funeral Mass at St. Luke’s Church in Belmont at 10 a.m.  Interment will be at St. Patrick’s cemetery in Watertown. 

Jean was born in South Boston, MA on October 2, 1933 to parents John and Ruth (Dunn) Geary, one of four siblings.  She met Howie in South Boston while he was playing trumpet in a band, and she shared his love of music and dancing.  While Howie preferred jazz, Mom loved to listen to Irish music.  One of her most treasured memories was her trip to Ireland, where she braved the heights and kissed the Blarney Stone. 

Jean was always happiest at the water, be it the beach in South Boston, Rockport, and the Cape, or at Papoose Pond or Big Indian Pond in Maine.  She loved to visit her sister Louise in California and finally made it to Hawaii in 2010 and spent her time enjoying the waves and sunshine.  Just like her husband, she loved to read, although we could never get her to use her Kindle.  Technology was not her thing. 

In 1958 Jean and Howie moved to Belmont, MA, where they raised their four children, and lived in the same house for 62 years.  Jean famously never learned to drive, and took her four children everywhere by foot and by public transportation.  We all recall our trips by bus and train to South Boston to visit her parents and spend many a summer’s day at Castle Island.  Once we were all in school, she worked as a lunch lady at Butler Elementary school and then at the Harvard Coop, counting all the money in the “cash room.” 

Jean was famous for her unselfish nature, accepting of all, never judgmental and the kindness and care she gave to others, particularly her father after her mother died, her brother, John and our Dad in their last years.  She loved to babysit her grandchildren, and as they got older enjoyed their sporting events, graduations and weddings.

Mom led the charge to revisit our favorite childhood vacation spot: annual trips to Papoose Pond in Maine. Renting the same cottage on the water we enjoyed for decades and inviting all to come for a memorable, joy-filled week with extended family and friends. She was always first to book the cottage for the following year on the day it became available and loved getting up early, sitting in the screen porch with her tea and hearing the loons sing their morning songs.

Once Jean retired, she spent much of her time at the Beech St. Center, the senior center in Belmont, where she enjoyed exercise classes, book clubs and working the front desk where she got to do her favorite thing – talk with everyone.  Finally, in her last few years at Cornerstone at Canton, we would love to watch her wave to everyone as she made her way through the hallways and dining room, and she loved showing off her grandkids and great grandchildren to her friends and staff.  It is a testament to the joy our Mom spread as so many of the Cornerstone staff spent time with her the last few days of her life. 

Her shoes are impossible to fill, and all of us know that we can never be as good of a person as she was.  She kept her faith to the very end, attending Mass and Rosary every day offered at Cornerstone, including attending Rosary the day she began hospice services. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Friends of the Belmont on Aging, which financially supports the Beech St. Center.  Information on donating can be found at link below.

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