Jeannette H. "Jean" Andress

Please be aware that the service date has changed from Monday, January 26th to Wednesday, January 28th.

Jeannette H. "Jean" Andress, age 90, lifelong resident of Historic New Castle, DE, passed away peacefully at home with her family by her side on Friday, January 16, 2026.

Born in Wilmington, DE, on September 15, 1935, she was a daughter of the late Martin P. and Jennie J. (Cattano) Chirco.

Jean devoted forty-five years of her professional life to the hospitality industry working as the General Manager of the Holiday Inn of Penns Grove, New Jersey as well as the Holiday Inn of Newark, Delaware. She was the third female General Manager nationwide with Holiday Inn. Additionally, she served as treasurer of the New Jersey Hotel and Motel Association. Working in the hospitality industry, Jean loved to travel both nationally and internationally.

Deeply committed to service, Jean was an active member of the Newark Rotary Club where she was honored as Rotarian of the Year numerous times in recognition of her outstanding contributions and community involvement. At Christmastime, Jean found great joy ringing the bell for the Salvation Army. Additionally, she was a faithful member of Our Lady of Fatima Parish and an active participant at the New Castle Senior Center. In her quieter moments, Jean found joy in gardening, bird watching, and listening to music.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings, Anna O. Toner, Josephine L. Kolasinski, Nicholina C. Petro, and Rosalie M. Pucylowski. Jean is survived by her children, Maria "Mia" Cirks (Jeffrey, Sr.) and Walter "J.R." Andress, Jr.; sister, Elaine A. Ford; grandchildren, Jeffrey Cirks, Jr. (Kylie), Taylor Cirks, Conor Cirks, Ethan Andress, and Jakob Andress; and great grandchildren, Quinn, Lucy, and Odin.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 9:30 am until 10:30 am on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 1000 North DuPont Parkway, New Castle, DE. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 am, following the visitation, at Our Lady of Fatima R.C. Church, 801 North Dupont Highway, New Castle, DE. Entombment will follow in Gracelawn Memorial Park, 2220 North DuPont Highway, New Castle, DE

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jean's memory to Our Lady of Fatima R.C. Church, at the address above or online by clicking here.