Jean L. Grady

Jean Grady loved the three towns that shaped her: Quincy (MA) where she grew up, Wallingford, where she and her husband Paul raised their three children, and Orleans, where she summered and lived for forty years. In all three, she was surrounded by friends who loved her humor and warmth and family who knew her strength and love.

Jean, daughter of Claude and Elsie Kemno, was raised in a lively family of five sisters and graduated from North Quincy High School. In 1961, she married Paul Grady, whom she had met through mutual friends in a local skiing club, and they were married for forty-six years. In 1966, the family moved to Wallingford, and here she raised her children—Paul, Dana and Pam—in their close-knit neighborhood and worshipped at the Church of Resurrection where she volunteered with the Ladies Guild and sang in the choir, making sure that her family recorded the midnight Christmas Mass to be listened to later at home. She served as a teacher’s aide in the local elementary school and for many years was the office manager for a leading orthopedic surgeon.

Beginning in the early 1970’s, Jean’s summer home was in Orleans, and in time it became her permanent home. When the school year ended, she and Paul loaded the family in the station wagon to spend summers. Jean was a member of the Orleans Yacht Club, where she was known for her cheeseballs at the BYO Friday night socials. A faithful participant each and every Sunday at Saint Joan of Arc Church, she was also a cheerful staffer at the Orleans Community Exchange. But it was Nauset Beach that was the center for family and friends. If it was even remotely sunny, Jean could be found sitting in a line of chairs near the lifeguard stand—their lineup was nicknamed “The Strip” and known by all—with friends and family to swim, sunbathe and play backgammon. Fourth of July always meant a cookout, with folding tables of food, a massive American flag waving from the lifeguard stand, and the annual photograph. Jean was at the center of what felt like a beach “family.”

Jean was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, and family and traditions mattered greatly. Christmas and Easter were special, but so, too, was Thanksgiving, where each year the entire family posed for a photographer wearing tattered construction paper Pilgrim hats, made by her elementary students decades before. There were two poses: the grim, sad Pilgrims, followed by the smiling, happy family.

Jean loved her three children: Paul Grady Jr., Dana Grady, and Pam MacMullen. She also adored her four grandchildren: Lauren Mecca, Patrick Grady, John MacMullen, and Tom MacMullen. And she was recently blessed with her great grandchild, Riley! She was predeceased by her husband Paul and her four sisters Gerda, Doris, Pauline, and Ruth.

The family shares great gratitude to the many friends who supported Jean and the family, and especially to her caregiver Dionne Graham, whose care and love were extraordinary.

Her visitation will be held on Thursday, December 12, 2024 from 9:00am to 10:30am in the Nickerson Funeral Home, 77 Eldredge Park Way, Orleans, MA . Her Funeral Mass will be held at 11am in St. Joan of Arc Church, 61 Canal Road, Orleans, MA on Thursday, December 12, 2024 followed by her burial in Orleans Cemetery, Orleans, MA.

Donations can be made to St. Joan of Arc Church, Orleans, MA.