Jean E. Kycia

1939 - 2022

Jean E. (Jacob) Kycia, 83, of Pittsfield, passed away on December 3, 2022.

Born at St. Luke's Hospital in Pittsfield, MA on Feb 8, 1939 she was the daughter of Gerald & Donata (Lancia) Jacob. Raised in Cheshire, MA with her brother Arthur A. Jacob, Jean was a graduate of Adams Memorial High School and The School of Nursing at St. Luke's.

Jean could strike up a conversation with just about anyone. And invariably would; the bus drivers during intermission at Tanglewood concerts, people she didn't know in grocery store lines and the Cumberland farms 'girls'. Saying she had the "gift of gab" was an understatement. Ask anyone who was trying to leave the house after a late-night party or family gathering. Her taste in music was eclectic, ranging from the Rock & Roll she enjoyed as a teenager to Judy Garland and Willie Nelson to Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga. She loved talking politics; be it local, national or international. And invariably she could be found talking back to WAMC while it aired on the kitchen radio.

Jean was a nursing professional for the better part of 40 years, retiring as Director of Nursing at Mt. Greylock Extended Care. She reveled in holding court and sharing the stories of her nursing experiences. These were often poignant and dramatic, almost always they were downright hilarious. She also enjoyed telling tales of her youth; drag racing cars on the back and mean streets of Cheshire, competing against and often beating the boys in various sporting events and regularly, just plain beating on the boys.

She will be remembered most however; and we suspect would want to be remembered most as a loving and devoted mother and grandmother. Her eyes dazzled while in the company of her grandchildren. She loved listening to their stories and she loved imparting hers to them. And ask any one of them, she gave the tightest and warmest hugs, hugs which you felt long after you'd left her.

Jean married John E. Martin on Oct 29, 1960 at St. Mary's Church, in Cheshire, MA. John predeceased her in 1969. She married Julian I. Kycia on Jan 23, 1975. Julian passed away in 2018.

Jean is survived by her children, John Martin and his wife Adele Sands, of Marion, MA; Peter Martin and his wife Susan Martin, of Salisbury, MA; Eileen (Martin) Champoux and her husband Andre Champoux of Pittsfield, MA; stepchildren Chris Kycia and his wife Lan Kycia of Medford, NJ and Carol Kycia and her partner Jonathan Finger of Arlington, MA. She also leaves her grandchildren Jacob, Grace, John, Jeanne, Roy, Audrey, Olivia, Amelia, & Quentin.

Honoring Jean's wishes, services will be private. Dery-Cheshire Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.