Jeanne R. (Julien) Malenfant

TOPSFIELD – Mrs. Jeanne R. (Julien) Malenfant, 91, of Topsfield, and the loving wife of the late Jean B. Malenfant with whom she shared more than 60 years of marriage, passed away peacefully on June 1st in the comfort of her home, with her family by her side.

Born in Salem on January 9, 1935, Jeanne was born to the late Clement and Rose E. (Arsenault) Julien. She was raised and educated in Peabody and was a graduate of Peabody High School, class of 1952. She continued her education at Burdett College of Business in Boston where she fostered lifelong friendships and skills that she would hold all throughout her life.

Jeanne started her career as a medical secretary and then transitioned to secretarial work for General Electric where her husband also worked until she became a mother. She devoted herself to raising her family, creating a warm and welcoming home that was always filled with the aroma of her freshly baked treats and was an active volunteer in the community until her oldest was 18 and her youngest was 8. She then rejoined the workforce as an office manager for Greenlee Textron in Topsfield for over 10 years. She later worked as an in-home childcare provider for many local families who loved and adored her almost as much as her own family.

Jeanne cherished the simple, beautiful, and natural things in life. She delighted in the tranquility of a sunrise. With a passion for flowers, she found joy in both growing and arranging them and loved ‘playing in the dirt’. She enjoyed feeding the birds and was especially fond of the hummingbirds that visited her front porch feeders and hanging baskets. She loved and was a generous patron of the local arts and made frequent visits to the North Shore Music Theater and the Cape Ann Symphony. An avid reader, she enjoyed insightful conversations with her two separate book clubs and was proud of being asked to lead the discussion at a meeting last year at the age of 90. She loved living in Topsfield and her community at Great Hill and could often be found visiting with neighbors when she was not off exploring the local shops, farmstands and garden centers.

Jeanne cherished her time spent traveling and enjoyed more than 20 cruises with her beloved husband and twin sister and her husband Jack where many memorable adventures took place. She also enjoyed annual winter vacations at her timeshare in St. Maarten, as well as other Caribbean islands. Family traditions were at the heart of who she was, from annual retreats to Cape May, NJ to magical trips to Disney World with her children, their spouses and grandchildren. Every moment shared with her family was a treasured gift. Jeanne’s devotion to her family was unwavering and she will be deeply missed.

Jeanne is survived by her children, John Malenfant and his wife, Brenda of Hull, Linda Malenfant and her husband, Sherman Homan of Wayland, Julie Waite and her husband, Jim of Richmond, VT and Nicole Brode and her husband, Jeff of Ambler, PA; her beloved grandchildren, Oliver, Ted and Eliza Waite and Jeffrey and Charlotte Brode; her siblings, Charlene Smith of Lynnfield, Joseph Julien and his wife, Maria of Peabody, and Lynda Regan and her husband, Paul of Rowley and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and many dear friends. In addition to her beloved husband, Jeanne was predeceased by her twin sister, Joan Keating and brother, John “Brud” Julien.

The family gratefully acknowledges the compassionate care provided by Care Dimensions and Aberdeen Home Care; her special friend Sandi McCarthy and Helene Hutchinson, NP who aided Jeanne’s independence and vibrant life until her final days.

ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are invited to Jeanne’s funeral Mass which will be held at St. Rose of Lima Parish, 12 Park St., Topsfield on Monday, June 15 at 11:30 A.M. with a visitation to be held in the church prior to her Mass from 10:45 to 11:15 A.M. Burial in Pine Grove Cemetery, Topsfield. Assisting the family with the arrangements is O’Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 167 Maple St., (Rte. 62) DANVERS. In keeping with Jeanne’s generous spirit, please consider making a donation to any of the following organizations: Top Cupboard Food Pantry, 124 River Rd., Topsfield, MA 01983; Topsfield Council on Aging, 8 W Common St., Topsfield, MA 01983 or to the Topsfield Historical Society, 1 Howlett St, Topsfield, MA 01983. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com.