Jean Catherine Comiskey

Jean Catherine Mertins was born to Otto and Leone Mertins on October 15, 1930. Times were hard during the Great Depression, but Otto provided his family with a middle class lifestyle that was a buffer they were lucky to have.

Jean was a protective and loving younger sister to her brother Wayne, born three years earlier. This started a life-long passion for babies and toddlers. This passion was instrumental in Jean’s love of babysitting neighborhood children and later in choosing her career as a Registered Nurse working with newborns. There were a couple of instances where her expertise and intuition saved a baby or mother from harm.

One fateful New Year’s Day, Jean met a handsome young man named Jack Comiskey. Many dates later Jack asked Jean to be his wife while they were listening to George Gershwin’s Concerto in F. Classical music was a passion they both shared.

A year after their marriage on November 24th,1956 they were blessed with a son, Daniel John on November 30,1957. Jean was ecstatic to have a little one of her own. Three years later Joseph Paul added to the growing family. Jean stayed home to care for her two boys, but she longed for a daughter. On August 12, 1966 Jean and Jack were blessed with a baby girl, Anne Laurine. Jean had a difficult labor and Jack rose to the occasion to take care of Jean, the house, and the baby.

Throughout the years, Jean’s focus was on Dan, Joe and Anne. She had a talent for making birthdays and holidays glow with anticipation, especially Christmas. Several times she had to go back to nursing for a while so she and Jack could afford the children an exemplary education in local Catholic schools.

Jean and Jack throughout their marriage moved from Wisconsin to California, to Washington, to Texas, to Virginia, and to Illinois. Jean did not like the constant moving, but she realized Jack was doing his best (as an engineer) to provide for the family. In Illinois Jean led a group of close friends who hosted gourmet dinners at the local Catholic Church, exercised, and even took trips together. At this time Jean, who was always proud of her German heritage, was known for her Sauerkraut and homemade pickles. She also loved knitting, embroidery and later scrapbooking with her daughter-in-law and granddaughters. Her love of music, opera and ballet was on display when she played on her cherished piano.

Moving to Sun City West during retirement afforded Jean and Jack the time to enjoy hobbies such as: Church Choir, Bocci, golf, and hosting parties for friends. Jean was a cook extraordinaire.

They were blessed in later life (when Joe married Ellen Hamilton) with four adored grandchildren: Mary Ann, Michael, Jeannie, and Clara, who visited every year for almost twenty-five years. The grandchildren could count on Grandma to greet them with hugs and homemade soup after a long day of travel.

In addition to Joe’s family, Jean and Jack were blessed with Dan’s daughter Veronica and three great-grandchildren: Lyric, Ian and Samuel.

Eventually Jean developed Dementia with Jack lovingly caring for his wife as long as he could.

Jean passed away to be with her savior Jesus, on September 25, 2023 at Sun City West Assisted Living & Memory Care, after her husband Jack had spent her final hours holding her hand.

Jean’s family was always her top priority in life. She was an exceptional mother, grandmother, wife, and friend, who will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.

A rosary for Jean will be held Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at 9:30 AM at Prince Of Peace Catholic Church, 14818 W. Deer Valley Dr. Sun City West, AZ. 85375.

Her memorial mass will occur Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at 10:00 AM.

Her committal service will occur Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at 1:30 PM at Sunland Cemetery Dedication Niche, 15826 N. Del Webb Blvd. Sun City, AZ. 85351.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sunlandmemorial.com for the Comiskey family.