Jean Berry Hanrahan

Jean Berry Hanrahan, 97, of Schenectady entered into the arms of God and joined her beloved husband, Joseph on Sunday, March 28,2021. Born in Schenectady, Jean was the oldest child of Howard and Elizabeth Berry. She was always close to her brother, James and sister, Kay, who preceded her in death. Jean graduated from Nott Terrace High School and became a telephone operator for Bell Telephone. She also worked for Alco, Inc and Wallaces Department Store as a telephone operator, but she returned to the AT & T office in Schenectady where she worked until retirement making many long lasting friendships with co-workers there. Jean was a devoted Catholic who married Joseph Hanrahan on July 23, 1949 and was the proud mother of 5 children, while continuing to work full time. She loved her family dearly, as well as her many friends from high school, the telephone company, and St. John the Evangelist Church where she was very involved in the Holy Rosary Society and the pastoral care committee. Jean and Joe volunteered together after retirement taking holiday baskets and visiting shut-ins from St. John parish for many years. For many years Jean and Joe served coffee and donuts after mass, and for many years they made funnel cakes for a booth at the annual St. John festival. Jean loved to visit with everyone she met. Jean also volunteered with the Pioneers, the community service group of retirees from the telephone company. Jean was a long- standing member of the JFK Division I Ancient Order of Hibernians in Schenectady. She loved going to social events at the club. More than anything, Jean and Joe loved their 5 children, 2 granddaughters, and 3 great grandchildren. Jean is predeceased by her loving husband, Joseph, and two sons Joseph and William. She is survived by her daughters Peggy (Dave) Beisser and Mary Hanrahan, son James P Hanrahan, former son in law Tim Siudy, granddaughters Jacqueline Siudy Coons (Steve) and Dianne Siudy Simpkins (Jim) and great grandchildren Adeline Leigh Coons, Keegan James and Sadie Mae Simpkins. She is also survived by sister- in- law Maureen Norris and her husband Raymond, and several nieces and nephews. A special thanks goes to Alice Ault, Elaine Noel, Gerald Toung and Bruce Trachtenberg for all their care during Jeans illnesses. There will be a funeral mass at St John the Evangelist Church on Monday, April 5 at 11 a.m., relatives and friends are invited to attend. Due to virus restrictions, burial will be private following the mass. Contributions in Jeans memory may be made to St. John the Evangelist Church.