Jean E. (Blakeney) Paul

Mrs. Jean E. (Blakeney) Paul, of Waltham, died July 26, 2023 surrounded by her loved ones. She was 75.

Jean was born on June 7, 1948 in Newton a daughter of the late John W. and Rita M. (Desrochers) Blakeney. Raised in Newton she was a graduate of Newton High School with the class of 1966 and later earned her Bachelor’s degree from Emmanuel College in 1970. She married William P. Paul on April 17, 1971 in the former St. Jean’s Church in Newton and have been residents of Waltham for nearly 50 years.

She taught French at John C. Glenn Middle School in Bedford before staying at home to raise her three daughters. Jean then returned to work at Betty’s School in Newton Centre where she was able to enrich the lives of dozens of preschoolers and their families for 14 years.

Her life was devoted to her husband, children and later, her grandchildren. Nothing was more important to Jean than her family. She was truly selfless, always finding ways to make everyone around her feel important and special.

In addition to her husband of 52 years, Bill, she leaves their daughters, Elizabeth P. Daly (Dan) of Medfield, Katherine P. Anderson (Joseph) of Waltham and Ellen J. Warila (Erik) of Eagle, Idaho; her grandchildren, William ‘Will’, Brady and Avery Daly, Nolan, Emme and Violet Anderson and Lillian Warila; her siblings, Janice Ward (late Henry) of Waltham,  John Blakeney (Ruth) of Newton, Richard Blakeney of Fremont, California, and Susan Curtin (Robert) of Needham; nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Jean’s life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Monday, July 31st from 4 to 7 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Tuesday morning before leaving in procession to Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church, 880 Trapelo Road, Waltham, where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Waltham.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jean’s memory can be made to the Mass General Cancer Center at Newton-Wellesley Hospital, c/o Newton-Wellesley Development Office, 2014 Washington Street, Newton, MA 02462 or online at https://giving.nwh.org/mgccatnwh/.