Obituary of Jean E Forsythe

           Jean E. Forsythe, a woman devoted to her family and faith, passed away at the Winchester Hospital, with her family by her side, on Saturday evening, October 6, 2018.  She was 75 years old.

          Jean was born in Waltham. She was the oldest of 7 children born to the late Thomas and Genevieve Forsythe.   She was raised and educated in West Newton and a graduate of Billerica High School. 

          Jean’s mom, dad and siblings moved to Sarah St. in Burlington 1963.   It was a neighborhood filled with friendships.   Jean moved to Somerville where she raised her two children Robin and Jimmy.  Jean was a loving and supportive mother to her children.  She was their protector, supporter and their friend.  Jean was the type of mother who would sacrifice anything for the needs of her two children.   

          Jean worked hard to provide for her children throughout her life. She had a successful career as an Administrative Assistant working for over 20 years at Ames Safety Envelope in Somerville and for the past 15 years at Winchester Hospital.   Her job at Winchester had a great “perk” for Jean - she got to work with her daughter Robin which meant they saw each other daily.   She also worked evenings at the Army Core of Engineers with her sister, Diane. 

          Jean enjoyed a bit of traveling, visiting such places as Florida, New York, Maine and New Hampshire.  She also took an occasional trip with the Senior Group in Burlington.  Jean was a woman of deep catholic faith.  She was a parishioner at St. Margaret’s in Burlington and also attended Mass at neighboring churches.    Jean started each day with Mass at 6:45 a.m. at St. Margaret’s then off to work.  Sunday morning she would attend 7:30 Mass and then coffee at Dunkin or breakfast at Bickfords with her group of church friends.  So many Sundays the sisters would all gather at the Aunties for coffee and tea just to catch up with each other.

          Growing up in a large family of 7 children had many blessings for Jean.  Her siblings were also her friends and she had a close relationship with them.  She also helped babysit her younger siblings, Donna and Jimmy.    Family holidays for the Forsythe family were always festive and happy.  The holidays were always celebrated together at the Aunties.   Jean had a “Pollyanna Personality” she always found the good in people and situations.    She had a “heart of gold” and was kind to others, was always upbeat and optimistic.

          Nothing brought Jean more joy than seeing Robin and Jimmy starting their own families.  She was affectionately known as “Gramso and Mimi” by her grandchildren.  She was more than their grandmother she was their friend, cheerleader and confidant. 

          The two most important things in her life were her family and faith. This gave Jean the foundation for a wonderful and fulfilled life. Jean always reminisced on the fact that she felt she had a wonderful family and a fulfilled life. 

          Jean was the loving mother of Robin DiMasse of Andover and James Cappiello & his wife Cindy of Andover. Sister of Diane Forsythe of Burlington, Mary Forsythe of Burlington Thomas Forsythe & his wife Carla of Tewksbury, Sandra Sparrow & her husband Wayne of Lexington, Donna Forsythe of Billerica & James Forsythe & his wife Moffarah of RI. Proud grandmother of Gianna DiMasse, James, Sophia, and Julianna Cappiello. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, great niece and friends. Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn Street, Burlington (exit 34 off Rt. 128/95, Woburn side) on Wednesday, October 10 from 4-8 p.m. Funeral services will begin at the Sullivan Funeral home on Thursday, Oct. 11 at 9 a.m. A Funeral Mass will begin at 10 a.m. at St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. The burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jean’s name may be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or www.stjude.org