• Jean Brett

Jean Brett of Colchester, Vermont, passed away on March 12, 2014. Jean was born in the Bronx on September 29, 1927, to Hugh Paul and Veronica Sheridan. Jean had wonderful memories of her parents, extended family and friends. As a young child she attended Catholic school and developed a deep abiding faith in God which sustained her throughout her life. Jean attended Saint Brendan’s Elementary School, the Academy of Mount Saint Vincent High School, and Fordham University.

On November 15, 1952, Jean married William B. McCarthy at St. John’s Church in New York City. They had 7 children between 1953 and 1966. In September of 1967, her husband William McCarthy died. In spite of this tragedy, Jean went to work and she supported and successfully raised her children while opening her home to countless other children. Jean was a strong and resilient woman with a great sense of humor and adventure. Jean had that rare quality of accepting people for who they are and making people feel welcome and comfortable. Because of her wonderful character, her integrity and her commitment to the people that she loved, she had a large supportive network of family and lifelong friends.

In 1976, Jean married John Brett and they lived in Long Island. Jean worked full time for the New York City Police Department until she retired in 1992. Jean Brett was a union steward and was instrumental in ensuring equal pay for women and other minority city workers.

In 2001, Jean Brett had a stroke. Shortly thereafter her husband John Brett died and she went to live Kathleen and her husband Charles Painter in Jacksonville Florida. In 2007, she moved to Vermont to live with Jean and William Sioss. Jean traveled extensively and she loved nothing more than to spend time with her extended family and friends, particularly with her many exceptional grandchildren.

Jean is survived by her seven children and their spouses, Bernard (Tamara), Jim (Catherine), Marian McCosh (Peter), John (Terri), Kathleen (Charles Painter), Jean Sioss (Bill), and Francis (Deb), her brother H. Paul Sheridan (Regina), thirteen grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, Theresa McCarthy-Sumner, Rhea Foley, B.J. and Madeline Ianfolla, Jack Calvey, Mary LaFramboise (her deeply loved caregiver), and many dear friends and neighbors.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 5:00PM Friday, March 14 at Christ the King Church 136 Locust St. Burlington, VT. A memorial service will ne held 11:00AM Monday March 17 at Transfiguration Church, 268 S Broadway, Tarrytown, NY 10591. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.lavignefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the care of LaVigne Funeral Home, Winooski, VT.