Gloria Jean Monroe, 80, died at home Tuesday, October 10, 2023 after a brief battle with cancer, surrounded by her sons.
A funeral service will be held at noon, Saturday, October 21, 2023 in Antwerp at the First Congregational Church UCC with Rev. Gail Parsons officiating. The service will be followed by a reception at the Antwerp American Legion Post 916. There are no calling hours, per Jean’s request.
She was born July 29, 1943, at Maple Ridge Road in Dekalb as the daughter of the late Edwin Masters and Olive (Porteous) Masters. Known as “Jean” to everyone, she graduated from Indian River Central School district on June 27, 1960. She married the late Gerald F. Dean of Antwerp on August 24, 1962 with whom she raised seven boys.
She was a homemaker, an avid reader, loved crocheting, doing crosswords, crafts and putting puzzles together. Her family will always remember how she enjoyed working at flea markets as well as her passion for holidays, growing flowers, baking, plays and musicals. Church and helping others were very important to her, and she greatly valued spending time with family and friends. She was also a member of the Earnest Rebekah Lodge #16 100F for many years.
She is survived by her sons, David (Kristina) of Antwerp; Timothy, Thomas, Andrew, Gary all of Antwerp; Robert (Rhiannon) of Cudahy, Wisconsin, and Matthew of Fowler; a sister Deborah (Jerrold) of Gastonia, NC; grandchildren Christine, Robert, Austin, Chloe, Zach, Nicholas, Mikayla, Cassidy, Deanthony, Alexander, Brianna, Melody, Jake, Tyler, Gabriel; and many nieces and nephews.
After Gerald’s passing on April 20, 1996, Jean married Burl Hendrickson on February 14, 1998. Burl suddenly passed away December 27, 2001. She later married Francis Monroe June 26, 2011, who passed January 17, 2016.
Besides being predeceased by her mother, father and husbands, Jean was predeceased by two sisters, Betty Mason of Gouverneur, and Edith “Faye” Norton of Theresa.
In lieu of flowers, Jean’s family requests any donations be made to Frederick Bros. Funeral Home of Theresa to help with funeral expenses.
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