Jean Sweeney

Obituary of Jean Sweeney
Jean Florig Sweeney, beloved mother, grandmother, family member and dear friend, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, November 8, 2025, called home to God just a few days before her 90th birthday. On the day she passed, she spent the morning volunteering at her cherished local food pantry, helping others until her final hours.
Though she may have been small in height, Jean had the most gigantic heart that radiated outwardly with love for everyone she encountered, and she was a towering figure to everyone in her life. At the center of her life was the family she loved so much. She knitted together a network that stretched in age from young to old and extended across the country from coast to coast. Her dedication to family, her stalwart faith, and her devotion to serving others defined her vibrant spirit-a life that left an enduring imprint on all who knew her.
Jean was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania on November 11, 1935. Her birth on Veterans Day set the stage for a life of service that touched everyone she met. Born to parents Adolph Joseph Florig and Jean Browlie Florig, Jean attended Port Kennedy Elementary School and Upper Merion High School in King of Prussia, PA. The family home became a gathering place for picnics and parties where long days were spent in the swimming pool, surrounded by friends. When they weren't at home you could find the family "down the shore" in Brigantine, NJ in a house hand-built by Jean's father. At each of these places, the adage "there are no strangers, only friends we haven't met" applied, building a foundation of friendship and camaraderie Jean carried throughout her life.
Jean met Eugene Joseph Sweeney while working as a bookkeeper in her father's business, Florig Equipment. They fell in love and married in 1959. Together they ran Sweeney Hauling company in Blue Bell, PA. They welcomed children Edward (deceased a few days after childbirth), Kathleen, and Maureen. They built a life around their children. Their home, much like that of Jean's childhood, became a hub for gathering throngs of family and friends, including annual festive Christmas Eve parties. Jean was passionate about cooking and baking for others-and these gatherings became the start of a tradition of making delicious meals for family and friends. Food became the primary expression and pathrway through which she showed her love and care – from scones to pumpkin bread to whoopie pies and more-everyone looked forward to her homecooked meals and sweet treats on special occasions and every day in between.
In 1993 she married George Robert Kirlin, and they blended their growing families. Volunteering for those in need became Jean's vocation. She served three days a week at the Daily Bread Community Food Pantry in Collegeville, PA and each Tuesday at the Cecil and Grace Bean's Soup Kitchen in Norristown, PA. Jean was a eucharistic minister at St. Eleanor's Church in Collegeville, PA and she delivered communion to the residents of Brandywine Senior Living facility in Phoenixville each Sunday where she always arrived cheerful and ready to talk to each resident she met. An avid conversationalist, she could get anyone to open up and she made new friends everywhere she went, up until her final days.
Jean was an adoring grandmother to Morgan, Michael and Erin. She traveled all over the country with them, and treasured each moment watching their games, plays, and activities, showing up for each milestone with joy.
Jean was preceded in death by her husbands Eugene Sweeney and George Kirlin, her son Edward and her daughter Maureen, as well as her stepchildren Kenneth and Joy Kirlin Stuart. She is survived by her daughter Kathleen and son-in-law David Scheier, her grandchildren Morgan, Michael and Erin Scheier. She is also survived by her stepchildren Eileen Kirlin, George Kirlin, Donna Kirlin Silverthorn, and Roger Kirlin.
Always up for an adventure, Jean inspired others to live fully and with integrity, embodied by one of her favorite mottos, "Keep Moving, Don't Stop!" Jean's legacy will continue through her family, friends and community, and the example of service and commitment to community she lived each day. She will be forever remembered and deeply missed. In honor of her life, donations can be made to the Daily Bread Community Food Pantry at dailybreadcommunityfoodpantry.org.
A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, November 22 at 11:30 AM in St. Eleanor Church, 647 Locust St., Collegeville, PA 19426. Relatives and friends are invited to the visitation on Saturday morning from 10:00 AM until 11:15 AM in Church.
Interment will be private.
"You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give." Kahlil Gibran
"And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it." Colossians 3:14