Obituary of Jean (Tavernese) Archung

Following a ten month, courageous battle against cancer, Jean Archung, of Peabody, died at home on Saturday, surrounded by family. She was 63 years old. Born in Arlington on January 15, 1944, she was the daughter of the late Dominic Tavernese and Yolanda Macri, both of Calabria, Italy. Mrs. Archung grew up in Lynn, one of ten siblings from a very close-knit family. It was that upbringing that instilled in her the importance of family, as well as the values and morals that would continually shape her life. After graduating from Lynn Classical in 1962, she married Philip Archung Jr., also of Lynn. The couple spent time stationed in Germany while her husband was a member of the U.S. Army. Upon returning to the states, they lived briefly in Lynn, before eventually settling in Peabody, where they began a family of their own. Mrs. Archung immediately became an active member of the community, volunteering her time in the city’s schools, organizing neighborhood events, fundraising for various charities and becoming a loyal parishioner of St. Ann Parish. Her most cherished times, however, were those spent at home in the company of family and friends, and vacationing with her husband and children on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire. She later worked for 15 years in sales, customer relations and employee training at Christian Book Distributors in Peabody. In recognition of her hard work and many contributions to the company, a sales award was created and named in her honor. Her true legacy, however, can be found in the many lives of those she touched. From family and loved ones, to friends and casual acquaintances, she always offered a listening ear, a helping hand, a warm smile, sound advice, a quiet, steady demeanor and, most of all, a kind, generous, and caring heart. She will be dearly missed by all. Mrs. Archung leaves behind a loving and devoted husband of 45 years, Philip J. Archung Jr.; three fortunate children, son, Philip Archung and his wife Stephanie, of Franklin, MA, son, Keith Archung and his wife Jamie, of Newton, NH, and daughter Lisa Archung of Beverly; three grandchildren, Hazel Anne Archung, Meghan Rose Archung and Kevin Joseph Archung; nine caring siblings, Mary Bumbaca of Townsend, MA, Joseph and wife Norma Tavernese of New Hampshire, John and wife Barbara Tavernese of Peabody, Salvatore and wife Debbie Tavernese of Peabody, Rosalie Tavernese of Peabody, Dominic and wife Linda Tavernese of Lynn, Annette Fountain of Peabody, Theresa Tavernese of Peabody, and Thomas Tavernese of Salem; she also leaves behind dozens of nieces and nephews, and many, many dear friends. Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 28th, at St. Ann Church, Lynn Street, Peabody, at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Cedar Grove Cemetery in Peabody. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours will be on Thursday evening, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn Street, Peabody. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The March of Dimes, 114 Turnpike Road, Suite 202, Westborough, MA, 01581, The American Heart Association, 20 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701, or The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 10 Brookline Place West, 6th floor, Brookline, MA 02445-7226, ATTN: Contribution Services.