Jean E. Militello of Warwick passed peacefully on Monday, Nov. 23, 2020, at her daughter’s home in Warwick. She was 89 years old.
Born on Aug. 23, 1931, in Staten Island, she was the daughter of Frederick and Lillian Lucking.
After graduating Curtis High School in 1949, Jean began working as a telegrapher for a Western Union office in Manhattan. There, she met her husband, Salvatore, and they married in 1955.
She was predeceased by her husband in 1973.
On Staten Island, Jean worked as a volunteer with several rescue groups that cared for stray an abandoned animals. She devoted countless hours fostering homeless pets, providing the love and support they needed before being adopted by their forever families.
While Jean lived most of her life on Staten Island and raised her family there, she enjoyed living in Warwick for the past twenty years.
In Warwick, Jean put her lifelong love of plants to good use by growing a variety of indoor plants year-round and donating them to churches and other organizations to sell at fund raisers.
Throughout her life, Jean touched the lives of others through her caring and kindness. She will always be remembered for her thoughtful ways as well as her wry sense of humor.
She is survived by her son Paul Militello, his wife Patricia, and grandchildren, Jonathan and Catherine, of Staten Island; her daughter Susan Matthes, son-in-law Mark, and grandsons, Ryan of Warwick and Jason of Denton Texas; as well as her many friends and neighbors at Creekside Apartments in Warwick.
The family would like to thank those who helped care for Jean including Dr. John McDermott of Horizon Family Medical Group, Dr. Ronen Harel (of Crystal Run Healthcare), the team from Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties, the staff at the Price Chopper Pharmacy in Warwick, and Ron Kirkland whose help made caring for Jean at home possible.
A private graveside service was held on Nov. 30 at Ocean View Cemetery in Staten Island.
In memory of Jean, contributions may be made to the Warwick Valley Humane Society, P.O. Box61, Warwick, NY 1099.
Arrangements were made by Lazear-Smith & Vander Plaat Memorial Home, 17 Oakland Ave., Warwick. To send an online condolence, visit www.lsvpmemorialhome.com.