Jean Emily Whiting

Jean Emily Whiting, 80, of Milford, formerly from Needham, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, neighbor and friend, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, December 27, 2025, surrounded by her family. Born October 24, 1945 in Melrose, MA, she was the daughter of the late George and Ruth Perham of Needham, and the sister of recently passed Barbara McCarrier.

After graduating Needham High School in 1963, Jean attended the Chandler School for Women in Boston. She was married to Dave in 1965 and moved to Brockton to start their family. After 12 years in Brockton, Jean returned to Needham where she began her professional career at what was then The Glover Memorial Hospital. Starting as a switchboard operator, she rose through the ranks over many years, ultimately retiring as the Director of Patient Accounts for Beth-Israel Deaconess Medical Center, after which she spent many years working as a consultant.

Jean found joy in life's simple pleasures. An avid cook and gardener, you could always find herbs growing on her deck boxes, drying on the drying rack, sealed tight in mason jars in the cupboards, or being used in one of the many tasty meals she cooked. She consumed thousands of romance and mystery novels, often while traveling. Camping in New England when her kids were young, longer trips to places like the Blue Ridge Mountains in the custom van that she and Dave built after the kids moved away, and Caribbean cruises once the driving got to be too much. Their life together was truly one big adventure.

Jean began battling cancer in 2015. Following initial treatment, she had ten wonderful years of enjoying holidays and vacations with family, taking cooking classes with her best friend, Rita, and becoming great friends with her neighbors who were an amazing source of support.

We are grateful to the dedicated medical team and staff who cared for Jean with kindness and compassion at Dana Farber Milford and Milford Regional Medical Center.

Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 from 4:00pm-6:00pm at the BUMA-SARGEANT Funeral Home, 42 Congress Street, Milford.

Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.