Neff

Jean Neff, 83, of Butler, began her peaceful sleep on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024.

She was born in a “big,” white house on Gibson Road, Gibsonia, to Clyde and Nellie (Gray) Beals. Clyde was a coal miner and Nellie a housekeeper/nanny. As a young girl, she enjoyed her big family get-togethers and roller-skating at Twin Willows. At one point, she worked alongside her mother at the old Nursery Tearoom in Valencia. Jean graduated from Richland High School, the first class through the new building. She grew up on Grubbs Road, Richland Township, in a house built by her dad, with her sister, Virginia “Sis” and brother, Don.

After high school, she worked as a teller for Mars National Bank. One look at her check registry would tell you that. Always balanced to the penny. In the summer of 1960, she met a guy just out of the Air Force, and he only had eyes for her. They were married in January 1961, at Calvert Memorial Presbyterian Church in Etna, Pa. Two years later, they welcomed their first child, and Jean made their small Shaler Township apartment work by setting up a nursery in the only bedroom. Soon they built their first house, just around the corner, on Lindburg Avenue.

In time, three more kids came. Every two years another, except for the last one; it took four to get that one. Nothing meant more to her than spending time with her husband, kids and family. Family to Jean was not only kids and husband, but in-laws, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews on both sides. In those days, she enjoyed an occasional night out with her husband and in-laws, dancing the night away at the Elks in Etna.

She, herself, was a “plain” eater, but made the best foods she never tasted. Jean was the ultimate homemaker, mother, cook, decorator, crafter and entertainer. In the early ’70s, she agreed to give camping a try and decided she loved it. No tents for her though. A travel trailer with a toilet, tub, stove and refrigerator was the ticket. Jean explored Pennsylvania, and every state this side of the Mississippi until she discovered Myrtle Beach. Some of her fondest memories and friendships came with camping. Even though later, she traveled with Howard to many conventions across the country, even going to Australia, the beach always held her heart.

Late in the ’70s, with her family getting older, a need for a bigger place led to a new house being built in Hampton Township, and a new blank slate for Jean to turn into a home. The kids grew up, all graduated high school, some college, some went straight to jobs, started getting married, and then made Jean a grandma. A grandma to eight grandchildren, which she embraced with all her heart. In the late ’90s, she didn’t need the big two-story anymore, so, yep, a new ranch in Penn Township was just what she wanted and yet another blank slate for her to decorate and create a place to have friends and family.

Her children and their families all migrated to live close by and she got to watch her grandchildren grow from babies into adults, who now have partners, jobs and homes of their own. Six years ago, Jean became a great-grandma to one. Five years ago, a move to a much smaller, patio home would lead Jean to Butler. She enjoyed sitting in her sunroom, drinking coffee, watching the birds, growing tomatoes, doing crossword puzzles with her husband, and visiting with old friends, new friends and family.

Jean was preceded in death by both her parents, Clyde and Nellie Beals; her infant sister, June Carol Beals; and sister, Virginia Potts. Her brother, Don Beals, still lives in Butler.

Jean was the beloved wife of Howard Neff for 63 years; and the loving mother to Colleen McCarthy (Matt) of Butler, Howard Neff Jr. of Butler, Wendy Roan (Mark) of Butler and Matthew Neff (Tracy) of Saxonburg. She was the ever-loving grandmother to Brandon McCarthy, Ryan Neff, Laura Curry (JJ), Megan McCarthy, Samantha McCarthy, Anna Neff, Matthew Neff Jr. and Sydney Neff; and a great-grandma to Gabriel McCarthy.

Our minds will still talk to you,

Our hearts will still look for you,

Our souls know you are at peace,

– but we still miss you so much.

NEFF — Family and friends of Jean Neff, who died Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, will be received from 1 p.m. until the time of the service at 4 p.m. Saturday at BOYLAN FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION CENTER, 856 Evans City Road, Renfrew, with Pastor Reid Moon officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jean’s honor to St. Jude’s or Shriners.

Expressions of sympathy can be shared with the family at www.boylanfuneralservices.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.