Obituary for Jean F. Mooney
Jean F. Mooney, age 86 of Chestnut Hill, MA, passed away peacefully on January 8, 2021 from a stroke. Jean was a loving mother to Julie Gorman and John Mooney and a beloved “Grandma” to Kate and Abby Gorman and Tess Mooney. She was born to Anna (Nan) and John (Doc) Bradley of Peabody, MA along with her brothers, Warren and Bob, and sister Barbara. Jean was the last of her generation. She is survived by many nieces and nephews who brought her such joy.
Jean was educated at the Newton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart in Newton, MA before matriculating to Smith College. Upon graduation, she journeyed across the country to Stanford University where she earned a master’s degree in education with a focus on early childhood development and speech therapy. She married and taught first grade for a year in southern California. Following seven years as a stay at home mum, she resumed her career back east as a speech therapist in Natick, MA. While loving her job, she knew she wanted to do more to help children with learning disabilities. With that goal in mind, she earned her PhD from Boston College where she began her lifelong career as a professor of special education in the Lynch School of Education. Jean began as a classroom professor and rose to the rank of department chair. She finished her career in her favorite role as teacher. During her tenure at BC, she was the longtime director of the Campus School that provides students a hands-on practicum focused on children with physical and cognitive disabilities. In addition, she was instrumental in developing The Connors Family Learning Center whose mission is to enhance the quality of learning at BC by offering services to students with learning disabilities and providing tutoring and skills workshops to all BC students. Retirement did not slow Jean down. She volunteered at the Saint Columbkille Partnership School and the Gardner Pilot School where she provided a variety of services weekly. She was a leader of the BC Association of Retired Faculty where she enjoyed making new friendships and nurturing existing ones. Jean also loved her book groups.
It is impossible to estimate how many lives she has touched with her endless gifts of time, caring, empathy and love. Jean is missed by all.
Once Massachusetts is safe from Covid19 restrictions, relatives and friends will be invited to a memorial mass at the Saint Ignatius Church adjacent to the Boston College campus. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Saint Columbkille Partnership School whose mission Jean supported. Donations can be made in her name at www.stcps.org/donate or mailed to:
Saint Columbkille Partnership School
C/O Kate Ward
25 Arlington Street
Brighton MA 02135
Jean was educated at the Newton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart in Newton, MA before matriculating to Smith College. Upon graduation, she journeyed across the country to Stanford University where she earned a master’s degree in education with a focus on early childhood development and speech therapy. She married and taught first grade for a year in southern California. Following seven years as a stay at home mum, she resumed her career back east as a speech therapist in Natick, MA. While loving her job, she knew she wanted to do more to help children with learning disabilities. With that goal in mind, she earned her PhD from Boston College where she began her lifelong career as a professor of special education in the Lynch School of Education. Jean began as a classroom professor and rose to the rank of department chair. She finished her career in her favorite role as teacher. During her tenure at BC, she was the longtime director of the Campus School that provides students a hands-on practicum focused on children with physical and cognitive disabilities. In addition, she was instrumental in developing The Connors Family Learning Center whose mission is to enhance the quality of learning at BC by offering services to students with learning disabilities and providing tutoring and skills workshops to all BC students. Retirement did not slow Jean down. She volunteered at the Saint Columbkille Partnership School and the Gardner Pilot School where she provided a variety of services weekly. She was a leader of the BC Association of Retired Faculty where she enjoyed making new friendships and nurturing existing ones. Jean also loved her book groups.
It is impossible to estimate how many lives she has touched with her endless gifts of time, caring, empathy and love. Jean is missed by all.
Once Massachusetts is safe from Covid19 restrictions, relatives and friends will be invited to a memorial mass at the Saint Ignatius Church adjacent to the Boston College campus. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Saint Columbkille Partnership School whose mission Jean supported. Donations can be made in her name at www.stcps.org/donate or mailed to:
Saint Columbkille Partnership School
C/O Kate Ward
25 Arlington Street
Brighton MA 02135