Jean M. Serinese, beloved wife, sister, stepmother, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, January 18, 2026, in Bridgewater, New Jersey, surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Plainfield, New Jersey to Elio and Anna Comolli, Jean spent most of her life there before later moving to Watchung and eventually settling in Bridgewater with her husband, Joseph, eight years ago. Wherever she lived, Jean brought with her a warmth, energy, and joy that made every place feel like home.

Throughout her life, Jean embraced every professional role she held with dedication, enthusiasm, and excellence. She was admired not only for her strong work ethic but also for the genuine kindness she showed to everyone she worked with. One of her most fondly remembered roles was her time as a director with the Girl Scouts of America, where she spent ten years helping to guide and inspire young girls. Her family fondly recalls those years as ones filled with laughter - and plenty of boxes of Girl Scout cookies and calendars brought home to share.

Jean later went on to work for EDS Consulting, a position she absolutely loved. Through this role, she traveled extensively, teaching computer systems to employees at a wide range of companies, including the Wall Street Journal, among many others. She thrived on the opportunity to travel, meet new people, and immerse herself in different cultures, and she spoke often of how much fulfillment this chapter of her life brought her. After leaving consulting, Jean joined Budd Van Lines in Somerset, where she worked until her retirement.

Above all else, Jean will be remembered for her remarkable personality and her love for her family. She saw the best in everyone, loved people wholeheartedly, and had an infectious laugh that could light up any room. She possessed a fearless, adventurous spirit and was always eager to take part in every activity, no matter how daunting - whether that meant skiing or ice skating or the “astronaut” escape slide - activities she cheerfully admitted she wasn’t very good at but happily tried anyway. Jean simply never said no to life.

She had many passions and creative outlets. Jean loved arts and crafts, especially making artistic birdhouses, painting wine glasses, and assembling elaborate holiday appetizers. She shared a love of making wine with her husband, Joseph, and found great joy in nature, gardening, and caring for her beloved German Shepherds. She also adored traveling, exploring new places, and, of course, treating herself to getting her nails done.

Jean is survived by her devoted husband, Joseph Serinese; her stepchildren, James Serinese (Sabina), Bryan Serinese (Erin), Kelly Crawley (Alan), and Claudine Workman (Kevin); her twin sister, Joan Simon (Rudy); and her sister, Barbara McCann (Roger). She is fondly remembered as favorite Auntie Jean to David McCann (Amy), Gary McCann (Traci), Karen Strong (Mike), Andrea Simon (Ray), Amy Simon (Steve), Peter Simon, and Paul Simon (Bel).  She is also lovingly remembered by her nine grandchildren, as well as by many great nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends whose lives were forever enriched by knowing her.

A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Higgins Home For Funerals, 752 Mountain Boulevard, Watchung, New Jersey. To view the service, click here for the Live Stream. Cremation services were held privately.

Jean lived fully, loved deeply, and left behind a legacy of laughter, kindness, and joyful adventure that will be cherished always.

Donations may be made in Jean's loving memory to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital