WATERTOWN, NY — On Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021, Jean Elizabeth Gillan passed away at the age of 95.
Born Nov. 2, 1925, to George and Florence (nee Arnold) Lince in the city of Watertown, NY, she attended Watertown schools. She was married at the tender age of 18 to Eugene Charles Peckham. They increased the family by two daughters, Diana and Barbara. As was customary for the times, the couple lived with extended family, including Jean’s niece, Susan. Jean worked for many years at Severence Photo, Inc. until shortly after the passing of her husband Eugene in 1964.
Jean married, C. Keith Gillan, in March of 1966 expanding her family by two sons, Scott and Dean. The couple relocated to Albany, NY where Jean started working for New York Telephone Company. Jean and Keith later relocated to White Plains, NY, where Jean continued her career with NYT in Manhattan retiring in 1988. After retirement, Jean and Keith moved back to the north country, residing in Adams, NY where they become active in the community. Jean delivered Meals-on-Wheels and was a member of the Women’s Auxiliary of the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars.
Jean and Keith enjoyed spending time with family and friends, traveling and playing golf.
Having outlived all of her friends of her generation, Jean was preceded in death by her husband Eugene Charles Peckham, her sister Helen Lince Robertson, her Mother, Florence Arnold Lince, and her husband C. Keith Gillan.
Jean is survived by her children, Diana and Frank Dileonardo, Watertown Center, Barbara and Cas Trznadel, Henderson, NV, Scott and Teresa Gillan, Gouveneur and Dean and Debbie Gillan, Watertown, her niece Susan Robertson Yecies, Watertown, her grandsons Gregory and Jeffery Dileonardo who aided in her care, numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Jean will be missed, but the essence of her spirit will live on. Her quick, dry wit will not be forgotten. She was loved by many. Her advice and counsel was sought out by friends and co-workers. She was the dryer of tears, the listener, the confidant and the all-around fixer.
At her request, a Celebration of Life will be held where the songs of her beloved Frank Sinatra will be played. Family and friends will gather to laugh and share stories to honor her memory, secure in the fact Jean is now “playing among the stars”.
We would like to thank the nurses and all the staff at Jefferson County Hospice for the compassion and professionalism they display to our Mom and family during this difficult time. Without you we would have not been able to care for Mom.
Online condolences may be made at www.reedbenoit.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jean’s memory to the Hospice of Jefferson County, 1398 Gotham St. Watertown, NY 13601