Jeanne

Jeanne immigrated to the United States, and although she did not know English, she knew the language of faith, welcome, and love. Her daughter, Brigitte, told us that the first thing you would notice about her mother would be her smile and her welcoming hug.

Jeanne loved God and wanted to serve the Lord all her life. She never missed a Sunday Mass and would also go to the Rock of Salvation church with her daughter’s family every Sunday. Jeanne was a generous woman who gave without complaint, sharing her clothes, the little money she had, and her prayers. She loved to sing for God and to pray for her family and friends.

A mother of eight children, Jeanne also helped to raise her grandchildren, and her daughter remembers that she liked to check all the doors to be sure everybody was home before she herself went to bed. When her daughter struggled with school, Jeanne took the role of teacher, teaching her daughter to read and write. Jeanne’s days in the United States were spent caring for her chickens, her garden, and her grandchildren. She loved to cook for the grandchildren, and she made sure everyone had something to eat.

When Jeanne got sick, she didn’t have insurance, and it was difficult for Brigitte to care for her mother and pay the bills. That was when Project 4031 stepped in to help her pay the mortgage, so she didn’t get behind. We asked Brigitte how she would like her mother to be remembered, and she told us: “I would like everybody to remember mom as a woman with a God heart, a lovely mother, and a very nice lady that would help anybody in need with a smile on her face.” Jeanne left behind a legacy of love, faith, and generosity, and at Project 4031, we are so honored to have been a part of her journey.