Veronica Jeanne Finnegan

Our beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Jeanne Finnegan, passed from her earthly life in Gardner, Massachusetts. Jeanne was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. to James and Veronica (Murphy) D'Antonio, the eldest of their four children, and grew up in Queens, NY. Jeanne married John D. Finnegan in 1946 and moved to Burlington, Vermont. In 1950 John and Jeanne moved to the Finnegan farm in Lowell, VT where they raised seven daughters. After John's death, Jeanne moved from the farm to South Burlington, VT and subsequently to Virginia Beach, VA. Jeanne was a member of the first graduating class from the City of New York Queens College in 1941 where she earned a Bachelor's Degree. She was a lifelong learner, keenly interested in civic affairs and current events. Jeanne enjoyed reading biographies, and historical accounts of the founding fathers and early U.S. Presidents and their wives. John and Jeanne enjoyed heated discussions on political issues, and believed it was their civic duty to form an educated opinion. Every election day she voted, no matter the circumstances. Jeanne served on the school board in Lowell, taught remedial reading in the elementary school for a few years, was a substitute teacher and volunteered in the town library after her children were grown. Jeanne cared deeply about individual rights and treated everyone with respect. She loved meeting new people of all ages and was eager to converse about their lives and interests; her daughters' extended families became her friends. Tiring of the Vermont winters, Jeanne moved to Virginia in 2003 where she owned a co-op apartment, enjoyed gracious retirement in a mild climate, and interacted with dozens of peers equally interested in lifelong learning and current events. After her health declined, Jeanne moved to Gardner, MA in January 2010 to be near her daughter Veronica and family. Mrs. Finnegan's daughters are especially grateful to the nursing staff and Tricia Vorderstrasse, MD for the quality medical care Mother received at Wachusett Manor. Jeanne was pre-deceased by her husband John Finnegan; her brother John D'Antonio and wife Bernadette D'Antonio; her sister Elizabeth D'Antonio; and her dear son-in-law Bill Naramore. Our mother is survived by her brother James C. D'Antonio and his wife Elizabeth; and countless nieces, nephews and cousins. She is survived by her seven devoted daughters: Alice Finnegan, Longmont, CO; Mary Rising and Peter, Brightwaters, NY; Elizabeth Ellis, Chinle, AZ; Barbara Naramore, Suffolk, VA; Theresa Osborne, and Bill, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Catherine Finnegan-Doyon, and Marcel, Denver, CO; Veronica Guay and Mario, Gardner, MA. Her fifteen grandchildren survive her: Sean Givens; Erika Grace and Melanie Sieger; Adalia, Badi, Ruhi, Vahid and Ruhiyyih Ellis; Justin Naramore; Mark and Blaire Osborne; Sara and Allison Finnegan-Doyon; Joseph and Andrew Guay; and nine great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers the families ask that you consider donating to Mount Wachusett Community College Foundation, Inc., c/o Darlene Morrilly, Executive Director, MWCC Foundation, Inc., 444 Green Street, Gardner, MA 01440 or to City of New York Queens College Foundation, 65-30 Kissena Boulevard, Kiely Hall, Room 1306, Flushing, New York 11367. Requiem mass will be held at 11 AM on Monday, November 21st at St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church, Lowell, VT.; viewing is from 9:45 to 10:45 AM in the church hall. Burial will follow at the Catholic cemetery in Lowell, after which the family invites everyone to join them for a luncheon at the church hall. $(document).ready(function(){ });