Obituary of Jean Pero

Jean Anna Pero, lovingly known to everyone as “Ma”, a Burlington resident for over 65 years, passed away after a brief illness with family at her bedside. She was one of four children born to John and Martha Padenski. Jean grew up in Medford, MA and was a graduate of Medford High School. She met her husband, Robert Pero, at a roller skating rink in Medford called the Bal-a-roue. The United States entered WW II in 1941. In 1942, at the age of 21, she married Robert. Not long after their wedding, Robert was called to serve his country in the United States Air Force, serving in the Pacific during WWII. In 1952 Jean and Robert and their two sons moved to the rural town of Burlington. Not only did they have an organic farm, raise chickens and turkeys, but they raised their children, Jean’s pride and joy. Not long after moving to Burlington, she parceled off some of her land so her brother, Joe, sister, Mildred, and her mother, Martha, so they could build a house next door and be close to her. Soon, Jean would also have a daughter making her life complete. Although Jean worked at RCA for over 20 years, she also obtained a real estate license. In her spare time, she enjoyed canning, cooking, baking, and making pots full of homemade spaghetti sauce to have with her famous “spaghetti and hamburgs.” Her family gave her the most happiness. She loved going for car rides, especially with her family. Her grandchildren were a big part of her joy. In her final years, when it was getting a bit harder for her to get around, her family was there to care for and protect her just as she had done for them as they grew up. Jean was the beloved wife of the late Robert O. Pero. She was the loving mother of Robert Pero & his wife Donna of Groton, William Pero & his fiancée Amy Sirois of Burlington, and Janet Hampton & her husband Scott of Billerica. She was predeceased by her siblings; Mildred Young, Joseph and Vincent Padenski. She was the proud grandmother of Kristen Specht, Lauren Orlandino, Bryan Pero, Dan Pero, Ken Pero, Nicholas and Jessica Hampton. Great grandmother of Sophia Specht and James Pero. Funeral Services will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON on Wednesday, July 18 at 1 p.m. Followed by a Burial in Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Burlington. Memorials in Jean’s name may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 309 Waverly Oaks Road, Waltham, MA 02452 or www.alz.org. For obituary, directions & online guestbook see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net