Jeanette M. Cleary, age 94, of Wilmington, DE passed away peacefully on Friday, March 21, 2025.
She was born in Philadelphia, PA and raised in Wilmington. Jeanette is the daughter of the late Leo and Anna Cleary. She attended Christ Our King Elementary School and graduated from P.S. Dupont High School in 1948.
Jeanette was a proud Wilmingtonian, a faithful parishioner at Christ Our King Church and graduate of COK and PS DuPont High School, (1948). Where you from?“9th ward”, she’d answer. In her younger years, she worked at Borden’s, Allied Kid Company and The DuPont Company. In her later years, after caregiving to her mom and aunts, she embarked on a whole new work life with the State, Department of Labor. She worked there 28 years, retiring at age 83. Jeanette loved her work helping other people. She particularly loved and appreciated her very kind work buddies. Their comments about good work and fun times with Jeanette in their lives have been very comforting to the family. Work friends became her extended family and in ensuing years stayed in touch.
After a failed attempt (story there) at learning to drive when young, Jeanette turned into a loyal patron of Dart; the #12 bus was her chariot. Jeanette was a downtown girl shopper. She was weatherproof and a walker. With her boots, umbrella, bandana, coats, raincoats, white Reeboks and shopping bag, that lady walked miles a day, to and fro work and round and about, when not riding the bus to the mall. She enjoyed a good laugh, a joke, junk food (told us Cheetos were a vegetable), ice cream, black licorice and having fun. Her laugh was genuine and her dimples showed up a lot. She was caring and thoughtful.
She has many nieces and nephews who will miss her presence in this world. And I thank them for being attentive to her. She always remembered birthdays and could be found celebrating any ‘big’ day or holiday together with them: Karen, Donna, David Cleary, Mary Kate McLaughlin, all of Wilmington; Chris Cleary, Jenny Quinlan, of NJ; Anne DeLisa of MD. Predeceased by niece Lisa, nephews Billy and Andy, we know they are welcoming her as she just keeps walking right on into heaven. She trusted in God to care for her and HE did. She had a strong faith,
Me, her sister, Mary Ann and my husband Bill will retell stories of all our togethers. And I’ll laugh and I’ll cry.
I personally want to thank the dear ones who attended Jeanette when we no longer could. She spent the last 3 years in Gilpin Hall.God bless you and a million thanks for your caring work to the sick and elderly. Thank you to Accent Hospice who saw to her in her final week as her strong heart gave way to the Spirit leaving her on Friday, March 21st, 2025.
Jeanette is survived her sister, Mary Ann (Cleary) McLaughlin and her husband Bill and her loving nieces and nephews. She is also preceded in death by her brothers, Leo Cleary and Billy Cleary.
A viewing will be held on March 29, from 12-1 pm at McCrery & Harra Funeral Home, 3924 Concord Pk, Wilmington, DE where a funeral service will follow at 1pm.Burial will be held privately.
Contributions may be made to Gilpin Hall or Ministry of Caring, All in Wilmington, DE.
For online condolences visit: www.mccreryandharra.com
