Jean Elaine Kirkby

Jean Elaine Kirkby, 76, passed away peacefully at Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice in Fredon Township, N.J., on Sunday, July 12, 2015. She was born on Dec. 18, 1938, in Middletown, N.Y., to the late Clifford and Gladys Crotty. Jean was a resident of Middletown, N.Y., then moved to Hasbrouck Heights, Ramsey, and in 1986, to Franklin Borough.

Jean worked as an administrative assistant and retired from the Ramsey Board of Education after 25 years. She had a vibrant spirit, loved her family and friends, enjoyed travelling, and had a smile that inspired happiness in everyone she met. She loved her pets and Mack the cat provided her comfort and companionship.

Jean is survived by her two loving daughters and their spouses, Penny and Gabriel Cidri of Danbury, Conn., Debbie and Kevin O’Brien of West Milford, N.J., her cherished granddaughter, Meghan, her brothers and spouses Allen and Barbara Crotty, and Gary and Lois Crotty, and her many nephews and nieces.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Aug. 22 at the First Presbyterian Church located on 15 Shuart Lane, Ramsey, N.J. The family will have a repast celebrating Jean’s life at the Mason Jar Restaurant in Mahwah, N.J., starting at 1 p.m. Donations in the memory of Jean Kirby may be made to Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation, 99 Sparta Avenue, Newton, NJ 07860 or online at www.karenannquinlanhospice.org/donations/. Funeral arrangements through the F. John Ramsey Funeral Home, Franklin, NJ for online condolences www.fjohnramseyfuneralhome.com.