Obituary for Celebration of Life Memorial
for Jean Veasey nee Brodie
Sunrise June 29, 1942 Sunset December 4, 2020
Jean Pauline Veasey nee Brodie answered the gentle call of our Heavenly Father and departed this earth after a short bout with lung cancer on December 4, 2020. Jean entered this world on June 29, 1942, a beautiful, nine-pound bundle of joy, the fourth child of Ann M. Brodie nee Wilson and Judson D. Brodie.
Jean was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she challenged the authority of her oldest brother “Sonny;” looked up to (and feistily tested the patience of) her big sister Anne; adored and scrapped with her older brother “Junie;” lovingly fought tooth-and-nail with her younger brother Steven; and fiercely protected her little sister Linda.
Adventurous and fearless, even as a little ten-year-old girl who befriended a band of itinerant gypsies encamped on the outskirts of town, Jean had a yen for foreign foods, colorful music, and exotic dancing—sometimes to the chagrin of her parents. Curious, outspoken, and strong-willed, she wanted to experience new cultures, adopt new ways, and make them her own. Jean welcomed people into her inner circle from all walks of life and cultures -- always willing to learn or try something new and different -- without prejudice or judgment.
A very bright and personable student, Jean attended Alice Cary Elementary School, Tilden Junior High, and graduated early (Class of January, 1960) from Bok Vocational High School where she majored in the Commercial Course which provided vocational training and offered opportunities for workforce experience in the field of business. Her school activities included: The Bokettes, the Glee Club, and Section Officer.
Jean was married at 18 to a Philadelphia police officer, Ernest Jones . One of Jean’s first jobs after graduation was modeling. Always striking and vivacious, she attended a modeling/charm school where she learned about deportment, etiquette, make-up and hair styling. Jean became one of the original “Tiger Girl” models in Philadelphia from the famed “Put a tiger in your tank” Esso advertising campaign. Jean also worked as a stenographer at a photography studio where she did everything from stenography to photographic composition to training in darkroom skills. Jean took her modeling to the next level as a sales rep/model for Beeline Fashions in the 1960s with their style shows (home parties) exhibiting a passion for fashion. She became known for her flair and impeccable sense of style.
Jean decided to change careers (at 26) when she joined the “friendly skies” of United Airlines at John F. Kennedy Boulevard in Philadelphia. She initially trained as a reservations agent with United Airlines on June 5, 1968. She later worked at the tour desk, then the international rates area. Jean loved her job, made strong, lifelong friendships, and was afforded the opportunity to travel the world. So blossomed her love of travel and adopting new cultures. Jean displayed a map on her wall at her home in Reston, Virginia, dotted with red pushpins to represent all the places she had visited which included Spain, Portugal, Morocco, France, Germany, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Tahiti, and Hawaii.
Among her favorite vacation spots were Oahu and Maui where she treated her Mom and Dad to a Hawaiian vacation annually. While visiting her niece Trina in Oahu, Jean daringly jumped off a cliff in a tandem paraglide with a friend from United Airlines. She shopped in the open air street markets of Morocco, vacationed with a Japanese family in their home in Tokyo, and sampled beer in Germany. After an airboat ride through The Florida Everglades with her sister Linda, Jean didn’t bat an eye as she held a two-foot long, writhing baby alligator. She delighted in beautiful scenery and wildlife.
Jean retired from United Airlines after 30 years of dedicated service on December 31, 1998. She enjoyed doing the Washington Post Sunday crossword puzzle weekly. She was a voracious reader with taste that ranged from Jackie Collins to the political thrillers of Tom Clancy or crime novels about the Italian American mafia by Mario Puzo. She became proficient at crocheting and needlepoint.
On October 18, 1997, Jean married Ralph Veasey. They liked going out to breakfast and various restaurants for dinner, visiting the zoo, going to casinos in West Virginia and Delaware, watching their favorite TV shows and movies, and just plain enjoying each other’s company. They made each other laugh.
Jean decided that it was time for a second career as pharmacy technician. She befriended her co-workers from various countries and cultures. She was dubbed “Mama Jean.” After a time, her husband Ralph became ill. Jean left her job to devote herself fulltime as a caretaker. Sadly, her beloved Ralph passed in October of 2015.
Jean truly enjoyed the company of animals. She doted over several pets throughout the years. Her first was a ferocious German shepherd named Chico. Next, there was a feisty little Pomeranian named Poco. Later came the adorable Buffy, then she adopted Tasha. They all had outfits for the various holidays and smelled like perfume…with the exception of Chico –he was macho. She dog-sat for Mango (she called him her “grandson” and saved him meat bones in her freezer until his next visit). She also pet-sat, Tom the Cat, for neighbor Kelsey. She had a certain fondness for Chloe, Kelsey’s dog too; they were buddies.
Jean loved life. She continued with her casino jaunts, crossword puzzles and word games, card games, art ventures, joined a Scrabble Club with friends, played trivia and word games on the phone with Linda almost daily. She never missed Judge Judy. Week nights, Jean tuned in to 911, The Good Doctor, S.W.A.T and her favorite –The Voice.
Jean had a passion for music and dancing. Doowop music from the 50s, R&B, and Smooth Jazz were among her favorites. Jean was always ready to dance as soon as she heard the first few bars of James Brown’s “ I Feel Good” or Bruno Mars “Uptown Funk” and “24 K Magic.” And once she was on the floor, she often took center stage.
Jean Veasey nee Brodie impacted so many lives in her 78 years here on earth. Jean was known for her acts of kindness and altruistic nature. She was the always among the first to make food or run errands for a sick neighbor or friend. She volunteered her time and services. After the death of her dear friend from Japan, there was no one to care for his elderly mother. Jean stepped in as caregiver, even buying her a CD player and Japanese music CDs. Jean made sure she had a Japanese translator at her disposal. She built strong, enduring friendships throughout her childhood and into her adulthood which was a testament to her fierce sense of loyalty, charm, sense of humor, caring nature, and altruistic personality. Although she had no children of her own, she was a mother figure to many people.
After her diagnosis of lung cancer, Jean was inundated with phone calls, texts, well wishes via cards, floral bouquets, baskets and bags of all kinds of homemade food, favorite goodies, deliveries from family and friends sending shakes, pudding, socks, etc. She was loved…deeply by many. Jean will be remembered as a feisty, loveable, no-nonsense, and independent “little firecracker.” May she rest in eternal peace in Heaven surrounded by loved ones who met her at Heaven’s gate on December 4, 2020.
Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Veasey; parents, Ann M. Brodie nee Wilson and Judson D. Brodie; sister, Anne. L. Harris nee Brodie; brother, Judson D. Brodie Jr. (Victoria); nephew, Mark Brodie; and great nephew Jazzmen Ulysses Addams.
She leaves to cherish her memory and mourn her passing: brother, Steven Brodie (Barbara); sister, Linda Pruitt nee Brodie; 10 nieces and nephews, Robert Harris, Jr. (Luz), Christian M. Harris (Gina), Trina Nordstedt (Steven), Michael Brodie (Nicol),Judith Graham, Joan Brodie, Donna Brodie, Donyelle Brodie, Steven Brodie Jr., and Robert S. Brodie; and a loving host of great and great-great nieces and nephews, cousins, and dear friends.
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