Jean Marie Andrade was born on December 29, 1935 to Emily and Antonio Andrade. Her father emigrated from Portugal and she was raised in a strong Portuguese community in Oakland, CA. Jean was the second eldest of four children.

Jean married in her early 20’s and had her children, Stephanie, Kathy, Sharon, Monica and Steven. She was a stay-at-home Mom and devoted herself to her children’s care and well-being.

Jean overcame many challenges in her lifetime. It was her resilience in the face of adversity that was the key in helping her to succeed in life. She struggled financially when she divorced and was left to single-handedly support and raise her five young children. At the age of 39, armed with a high school education, she began to work as a substitute secretary for the Alum Rock School District. She always accepted the early morning calls to sub and was called back nearly every day because people so enjoyed working with her! She was an over-achiever that resulted in her moving from secretary to administrative assistant, to program manager, and onto project director for the GATE program and bilingual testing programs at the school district. While working she also began to learn about investing, for she knew one day this could provide her a better future and leave a legacy for her children. Jean continued her philosophy of investment, culminating in the acquisition of several rental properties. She retired after 26 years at the school district and sold her home in San Jose. She then devoted her energies to designing and building her dream home in Vacaville and spending quality time with the true love of her life, Bob.
Throughout the years, Jean raised, guided and counseled her children. She continued to grow her circle of friends and she provided a “ready” ear to all who sought counsel. She was always there to support anyone willing to make an effort to change and was ready to catch you if you fell. Many of her children’s friends called her “Mom” and they would constantly seek her advice at the kitchen table (“the counseling couch”).

Jean loved life and lived it to its fullest! It was with Bob that Jean truly blossomed into the world traveler she became known for, her travels spanning 6 of the 7 continents, as well as many domestic cities. Jean treasured her and Bob’s travel partners and their great friendships that lasted decades.

She loved to walk miles at a time, practice yoga, play team tennis and listen to live music. She was a North Bay Hospital Guild volunteer and also volunteered at her neighborhood Catholic Church. Jean played piano at a young age and picked it up again at the tender age of 79 when she began to practice on a modern piano that Bob gave her. She started playing at the local Alzheimer’s center and even stretched herself by signing up to play at a local recital where she received a standing ovation! Jean never thought of herself as “old”. She always felt young and had energy most of us half her age would envy. Jean did not know the meaning of “quit”. She had health challenges in the last couple years but never lost her desire to keep living life.

Jean was free-spirited, independent, responsible, and structured…..all rolled into one amazing woman and mother! Sprinkled generously over all of that was LOVE; love of family, love of friends, and a fierce love for Bob. Jean was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and a wonderful pastry cook, which her eleven-year-old grandson, Carlos, can attest to. Jean instilled a strong sense of tradition and family and served as “the heartbeat of the family”.

Jean is survived by her children Stephanie, Kathy, Sharon (Dan), Monica (Kabir) and Steven (Estela); her sister Marlene, brother Antonio (Muhasibi), her grandson Carlos Antonio, her nieces and nephews, Noah, Samara, Earl (Dee), Linda (Jesse), Traci (Scott), Tami (Dan), and Marc (Jaclyn). Jean is also great aunt to Jesse (Anneke), Justin, Mackenzie, Zachary, Austinn, Maya, and Jaxon.

Jean will be sorely missed by all but we know that she’s now hangin’ out on a beach somewhere with Bob!