Obituary of Jean F Markham

Jean F. (Millard) Markham, 89, of Peabody, died peacefully surrounded by her family Tuesday evening at the Hunt Nursing Home in Danvers following a long illness. She was the devoted wife of the late George Markham. Born in Salem, she was the daughter of the late Francis and Laura (Kenney) Millard. She was raised and educated in Salem and was a graduate of St. James High School. She continued her education at Emmanuel College in Boston and received her degree in Education. Jean taught at the grammar school level throughout the North Shore before retiring from St. Mary’s School in Danvers. She dedicated her life to helping those around her, both inside and outside of the classroom. Upon her retirement from teaching, Jean and George moved to Arizona. She has lived in Danvers for the past 5 years. Jean was a kind and loving mother and wife, with four athletic children, she never missed a sporting event that they were playing in. Jean herself was always a sports enthusiast; she loved playing her friendly game of tennis and golf. Other hobbies of hers included reading, bridge, ceramics, and socializing with friends and neighbors. She is survived by her two sons, Timothy and his wife Linda Markham of Peabody and Jeremiah Markham of Salem, her two daughters, Lauree and her husband John Murphy of El Granada, CA, and Sheila Rodgers of Newburyport, her sister, Louise Whitehead of Peabody. and by her loving grandchildren, Sean and his wife Lindsey Murphy, Liam Murphy, Nicholas and Andrew Markham, Sarah and Emma Rodgers and Kristen and Brian Martin of Danvers. Her daughter Patricia Kay Markham predeceased her death. Following cremation, her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday at 10:00 AM at St. John’s Church, Church St., Peabody to which relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 220 North Main St, Suite 104, Natick, MA 01760.