Jean Marie Leonardo Mendoza, a lifelong resident of Newburgh NY, entered into rest on Friday, October 8, 2021 at home surrounded by her loving family. She was 89.
Daughter of the late Samuel and Catherine Mancini Leonardo, she was born on July 27, 1932 in her family home on Prospect Street in Newburgh. She is predeceased by James A. Mendoza, whom she married on June 15, 1952.
Jean was always grateful for her blessed life. She met Jimmy, The Love of Her Life, and they were married for 56 wonderful years. They remained in her hometown surrounded by friends and family and Jean devoted herself to being a mother and homemaker. Together Jean and Jim enjoyed welcoming guests to their beach house in Ship Bottom, NJ, where Jean delighted in preparing meals for the huge crowds. Jean shared her good fortune through volunteer work and charitable donations. She accepted everyone and never spoke an unkind word about anyone. Her love also extended to animals, most recently her beloved cat Jet. Jean's proudest role was that of matriarch to 5 generations that all adore her, and she has become "Gram" to more than just her grandchildren. Jean was a lifelong parishioner of Sacred Heart Church, her love of family was rivaled only by her devotion to her faith.
Jean is survived by her 4 loving daughters, Margaret C. Stepansky and her husband William of Windsor Locks, CT, Jean M. Moore and her husband Alan of Newburgh, Carol A. Flannery of Newburgh, and Sharon Lindenauer and her husband Larry of Modena; sister Amy Antinori of Newburgh and sisters in law, Joan Leonardo of Newburgh and Norma Mendoza of St Cloud Kissimmee, FL; 9 grandchildren, Jason Moore of Newburgh, Amy Moore Ramos of Plattekill, Justin Moore (Jennifer) of Hopewell Junction, Denna Mendoza Flannery of Marlboro, James Mendoza Flannery (Ashley) of Newburgh, Krista Stepansky of Windsor Locks, CT, Joseph Stepansky of Doha, Qatar, Jacob Lindenauer of Albany and Ben Lindenauer of Modena; 11 great grandchildren, Breanne Switzer (Nick Rossi)of Hawley, PA, Shannan Napolitano (John Paul) of Cornwall, Kierra Moore of Cornwall, Angela Ramos of Poughkeepsie, Jeremy Ramos of Plattekill, Taina Erazo of New Paltz, Kateri Mendoza-Flannery of Marlboro, Emily and Alana Moore of Hopewell Junction, Scarlett and Tegan Flannery of Newburgh; 8 great-great grandchildren, Nicky and Elias Rossi of Hawley PA, Liam, Caleb, Rhonin, Tauren, and Alleria Napolitano of Cornwall and Elina Erazo of New Paltz; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her loving husband, Jean is predeceased by her siblings, Constantine, Anthony, Samuel and Paul Leonardo, Angeline Gruber and Ellen Sculley; nieces Linda Gruber and Kimberley Hernandez; nephews Andrew Antinori and John Wisner.
Donations can be made in Jean's memory to Operation Smile, 3641 Faculty Boulevard, Virginia Beach, VA 23453.
Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, October 11 at Brooks Funeral Home, 481 Gidney Ave., Newburgh. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, October 12 at Sacred Heart Church, Newburgh, with burial following in Calvary Cemetery, New Windsor.