Jean Marie McDermott's Obituary
Let me tell you what is in my heart about my mom, Jean. Our bond was so strong; it is a clear example of unconditional Love! She was my first friend, my best friend and my forever friend.
When I was growing up, she was so beautiful, sweet and caring, all the while raising 4 kids. My mom’s style was very classy. She and our dad would have “date night” every Friday. They would sometimes dine and dance at the Theatrical in downtown Cleveland. I would make dinner for us kids— toasted peanut butter and jelly with tomato soup. Ha-ha! We were then allowed soda pop and salty snacks from Charlie Chips. Mom called it our “party night”! She made it special because it was a treat only once a week.
She was born in 1925 in Lakewood, OH on November 11th to the late John and Marie Matz.
She met my dad when she was 15 or 16 years old at a drugstore in Lakewood. She fell head over heels for him and they married right after she turned 17. My dad was shipped off shortly after that and served almost 3 years in WWII.
When my youngest brother, Michael, (who passed 16 years ago), turned 5 years old, she began working in the office of my dad’s McDermott Autobody and Mechanic shop. She was definitely a calming force in an often highly charged environment. All the while looking amazing, poised and friendly.
She lost my dad when she was only 53 and never remarried. He was the love of her life and NO one else would ever measure up to my dad, in her mind.
Life must go on, so she got a job at a women’s boutique called Winkelman’s—which was one of several jobs she would have over the next 30 years. Her last position was for her good friend’s daughter and she loved being a nanny to her 2 children.
She touched many lives through her kindness. My mom was always helping one friend or another…. taking care of them, driving them to their doctor appointments, whatever they needed.
One of many things I loved about my mom was how she would always “go with the flow” and accept whatever came her way. Even in the face of tragedy—she would ask how You were doing!
Her warm smile would light up a room. That was the first thing people would notice. Then they would marvel at how she looked much younger than her age.
She did not realize her own self-worth. As much as I would try and convince her otherwise.
My mom was always the person I would go to with worries, concerns or just to hang out with. We did everything together, always ending our day with a nice meal out. I loved spending time with her.
She loved to read novels, like Nora Roberts and mysteries. She was a voracious reader!! She loved listening to music. She probably ended up with more CD’s than I have, as we both loved many of the same rock & roll artists, classical music and crooners.
My husband, Andy, and mom would watch cowboy movies together when she stayed with us for extended periods of time.
She had a big thrill for roller coasters. We would stay 2 nights every summer at the Breakers or Sandcastle Hotels at Cedar Point. It was a wonderful retreat we took together for many years. I had to finally tell her when she was 75 years old, I couldn’t ride the coasters anymore!!
When she was 76 years old, my husband began helping her find more holistic ways to keep her healthy. She entered a Fasting Institute in Strongsville that Andy had worked at as a chiropractic physician. She went in with severe, debilitating pain. After 43 days of fasting with water, only, and a year to regain her strength fully—she never again suffered with her pain.
In her last year of life, I would see her daily, enjoying our time together. Whether it was caregiving or watching Hallmark movies…...it didn’t matter.
She was a major force in my life. I feel her around me, but, I will Forever Miss my Mom!!!
*Beloved wife of the late Charles J. McDermott. Cherished mother of John (Supaporn) McDermott, Patrick (Linda) McDermott, Colleen (Andy) McDermott-Vitko, and Michael McDermott (deceased). Loving grandmother of 4 and great-grandmother of 1. Dear sister of Wayne (Ingrid) Matz (both deceased) and Dorothy (Bob) Shimp (both deceased).
**A Chapel memorial service will be held at Sunset Memorial Chapel, 6245 Columbia Road, North Olmsted, Ohio 44070, on Friday, April 14, 2023 at 2:00 PM with a meal to follow in the banquet room.
***In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Sierra Club Foundation online or call (415) 977-5653
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