Jean A. Bianchi

Jean Ann Deverell Bianchi, 90, of Jacksonville, passed away peacefully on January 9, 2017, surrounded by her family. Jean was born in Rochester, NY, on July 11, 1926 to William H. Deverell and Helen V. Daly. She graduated from the nursing program at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester in 1947, and continued her training in the nurse anesthetist program, where she met and married Dr. Dominick Bianchi in 1951. They made their home in Jacksonville where they raised 10 children. Jean had a lifelong passion for learning and in her sixties she returned to school, graduating from Jacksonville University in 1996. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Jean was an extraordinary, judgment-free listener, and could gently give advice without saying a word. Her door – and pool – was always open to friends and neighbors but never Canada geese, and her grandchildren spent many cherished summers swimming and fishing at Camp GrammaJeanIWanna. Her brownies, apple "pizza" tart, chicken potpie and Dutch babies were superlative and her hairstyle legendary (unchanged for over 50 years, Jean's perfectly coiffed side buns and French twist inspired many). Jean never lost her incredible sense of humor and upon realizing that her long and beautiful life was nearing an end, she told family, "well, I wanted to live to be 100, but you can't always get what you want!"

She is survived by her children and their families: Dr. Thomas Bianchi, his wife Mary Beth, their family Scott, Michele, Andrew, Nicholas, Anthony, Anna and Emily, and their grandchildren Bradley, Megan, Jasmine and August; Dr. Theresa Abood, her husband Mark, their children Christina, Matthew, Emily and Claire, and their grandchildren Jackson, Theodore and Daphne; Dr. Patrick Bianchi, his wife Susan, and their family Maria, Andrea, Geena and Ali; Dr. Joseph Bianchi, his wife Terri, and their children Rex and Jhett; Dr. Ann Corsi, her husband Chris and their children Shannon and Erin; Tim Bianchi, his wife Jan, and their family Cale, Amy and Gregory; Eileen O'Brien, her husband Gerald, and their children Megan, Nathan, Zachary, Abigail, Ian and Austin; and Dr. John Bianchi, his wife Laurie, and their children Leah and Sean. In addition, she was blessed with many nieces and nephews. The middle child of three, she is survived by her siblings Margaret Hudson and Dr. William Deverell. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Dominick Bianchi, and sons Dr. Michael Bianchi and Peter Bianchi.

A vigil will be held 5-7 p.m. on Friday, January 13, 2017 at St. Matthew's Catholic Church, 1773 Blanding Blvd. A funeral will be held Saturday, January 14, 2017 at 10 a.m. at St. Matthew's, followed by a private burial. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Bianchi Memorial Fund at Jacksonville University, 2800 University Blvd N, Jacksonville, FL 32211.

Arrangements entrusted to Hardage-Giddens 729 S Edgewood Ave. Jacksonville, FL 32205.