Jean Budd Terry

4-24-28 to 5-26-14

Beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend.

Jean was full of life with her infectious laughter and open arms. She was born the third child (first daughter) to Samuel and Marjorie Hardman in Livingston, New Jersey. She often shared stories of her childhood adventures with her mischievous older brothers Tommy and Bobby. Many of these adventures included climbing trees and chasing her with frogs. She would share these stories with a laugh as she carefully avoided any frog sightings or contact.

Her “baby” sister, Elizabeth (Betty), was the last of her immediate family to pass away and Jean was thankful for the renewed friendship they shared by phone during Betty’s last year.

Jean’s immediate family all lived in New Jersey throughout their lives. Jean’s sense of adventure prompted a move away from home and family. She moved to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida as a young wife with a toddler in tow. She raised her children and lived her entire adult life in the sunshine state but was always a Jersey girl at heart.

Jean had many interests and talents. She was a voracious reader and would shout out many answers on Jeopardy before the contestant answered on the television. She loved to sew and her daughters loved to not wear most of these “masterpieces.” She was a people person and made friends easily and often. She was a caretaker at heart and this showed in her work life as well.

After the death of her husband Bob in 1972, Jean entered the work force to support her daughters. She was a nurse’s aide for many years. Her caring personality also made her a great fit for her next occupational adventure ~ a teacher’s aide for children with special needs. Her favorite classes of “her babies” were children that were vision impaired. She loved taking them on field trips and experiencing life through their eyes. It wasn’t uncommon to pick mom up from work and have to wait because she was reading someone a story or not wanting to disturb a nap taker in her lap.

Her biggest joy in life was bragging about her grandchildren, especially the three handsome young men that all were married in the past year. No matter the topic, she could always find a story that highlighted one or all of the grandkids at every opportunity.

She was most proud of the fact that she was now a great-grandmother to add to her bragging rights!

She was much loved and will be greatly missed by her daughters and their families.

Jean is survived by her daughters Ellen Zander of Cocoa; Elaine Ball (Charles) of Phoenix, AZ; Elizabeth Hanus (George) of Orlando; and Robin McKim (Danny) of Rockledge, FL.

Her grandchildren, Charlie (Holly) Ball of Phoenix, AZ; Kenny (Lauren) McKim of Palm Beach, FL; Bobby (Alexis) McKim of Orlando, FL; and Brooke and Nicholas Hanus of Orlando, Florida.

Great-grandson, Zachary McKim of Palm Beach.