Norma Jean Ebb

DANVERS – Norma Jean (Johnson) Ebb, “Jean”, 92 of Danvers passed away peacefully on Monday, October 19, 2026 at the Brudnick Center for Living.

Jean was born on April 19, 1934, in Chappell, Nebraska, to her loving parents, Anton and Sylvia Johnson. Jean grew up on the family farm with her older siblings, Clifford, Marjorie, and Doris. She rode a horse to a one-room country schoolhouse before attending Chappell High School. She graduated from Luther College, where she met the love of her life, Carl “Jake” Ebb, from Bristol, CT. Theirs was a romance for the ages, and their love for each other was apparent to all who knew them.

Jean and Jake married on June 13, 1954, and moved to New England, where they raised their five daughters while Jake served as pastor to four Lutheran congregations. Jean’s greatest passions were being a wife and mother and serving her church. As a lifelong lover of music, she sang in the choir, played the organ and piano, and volunteered in her church community for many years. Her favorite hymn to sing was “Jesus Loves Me.”

Jean’s faith was the foundation of her life, and she always turned to God in life’s joys and sorrows. She was one of the most loving, kind, and compassionate people you could know. She touched many lives with her caring nature. Jean embodied Christ’s call to “love your neighbor.”

Her family was her greatest joy. She cherished her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Proud of her Swedish roots, she loved all things Scandinavian and made the journey to Sweden to visit the home of her father. At Christmas time, she often baked her Swedish spritz cookies, a tradition her family will treasure for years to come.

Jean is survived by her five daughters and their spouses: Kathryn Purtell (Ray), Nancy McNamara (Joe), Karen Hebert (Tommy), Mary Williams, and Diane Paquette (Chris). She is also survived by her grandchildren: Dan, Tim (Laura), Kristin (Andrew), Kelsey (Cam), Jake, Michael (Lucy), Macky (Courtney), Steven (Sydney), Erika, and Alex; her great-grandchildren: Eva, Emilia, Julia, Gavin, Margot, and Cassius; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; and her beloved grand-dog, Sam, who remained by her side through her final days. She will be dearly missed!

Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Anton and Sylvia; her siblings, Clifford, Marjorie, and Doris; her nephew, Rodney; her in-laws, Alice, Oscar, Larry, Gunny, Evie, and Warren; and her beloved husband of 33 years, Jake.

The family would like to express their thanks and appreciation to the staff at Brudnick Center for Living and Care Dimensions Hospice for their compassionate care during the last several months of her life. Special thanks go to her dear friend and caregiver, Sandra.

ARRANGMENTS: Relatives and friends are invited to Jean’s memorial service/celebration of life which will be held at Holy Trinity United Methodist Church, 16 Sylvan St., DANVERS on Friday, October 30th at 11 A.M. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either Calumet Lutheran Ministries, PO Box 236, West Ossipee, NH 03890 or Holy Trinity United Methodist Church, 16 Sylvan Street, Danvers, MA 01923. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com.