Jean Chandler

1924 - 2017

OGDENSBURG -- Jean (MacGilvray) Chandler, 93 years young, quietly passed away at the Milford Manor Rehabilitation and Nursing Care Center in West Milford on Sunday, April 30, 2017.

Born on April 1, 1924, in Kearny, New Jersey, Jean grew up in Cedar Grove. She was the daughter of the late Duncan and Annie (Jackson) MacGilvray. Jean was the devoted mother to John Chandler (Nancy), of Southold, N.Y., Barbara Jeromin (Al Wakefield), of Mendon, Vt., Peg Chandler Neville, of Spring Lake, and Wendy Chandler (Michael Lipscomb), of Ogdensburg. She was the loving grandmother to Heather Jeromin, Heidi Jeromin, Aaron Jeromin (Leah), Mandi Jeromin, Kerrin Glazier (Steve), Brittany Orrico (Joe), RJ Neville, Lauren Neville, Dakota Dutko and Sierra Dutko. Jean was blessed with great-grandchildren, Tucker, Ava, Everly, Landon and Taylor. She was also the sister-in-law to Vera (Kypers) MacGilvray, whom she regarded as a dear friend. She always loved spending time with all the family and each one of them brought her much joy.

Jean was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Robert Chandler; her twin brother, W. Duncan MacGilvray, and his wife, Agnes; and her younger brother, Ian "Scott" MacGilvray.

Jean attended Bloomfield High School, graduating early to go to work at Westinghouse in Newark as a drafter during World War II. When her fiancé, Robert "Bob" Chandler, returned from the war, they were married and moved to Ogdensburg to live on the historical family farm, which remained her residence until 2017. Jean enjoyed gardening and had a love of flowers and enjoyed spending time outdoors, especially in the sun or the backyard pool. She was an animal lover, being especially partial to the family dogs. Among her many talents, Jean was known county-wide for her expert seamstress skills and enjoyed helping her local police and fire departments, ultimately being recognized as an honorary member of the Ogdensburg Fire Department.

Jean's commitment to her community included being a Girl Scout leader, serving as the county Republican Committee representative for many years and being involved in the Ogdensburg Historical Society. In May 1998 she was proclaimed Ogdensburg's Senior Citizen of the Year. However, her biggest community pride came from her involvement with the Ogdensburg Presbyterian Church. Over the years, she served as a Sunday School teacher, a deacon, a Session member, the clerk of Session and an elder. She was an organist who was happy to volunteer to play for services if the regular organist(s) were not available. Prior to her passing, she was the oldest member of the congregation. But her biggest joy was being able to be a member of the choir, which she was since she began attending the church in the late 1940s. She enjoyed using her God-given gifts of music and sang with the choir up until a health setback in 2014, but even then she still attended church regularly and had many friends in the church.

A memorial service and celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, May 13, at 11 a.m. at the Sparta Presbyterian Church on Main Street, Sparta. There are no prior calling hours scheduled.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to either the Ogdensburg Presbyterian Church or the Ogdensburg Fire Department.