Jeanne Medford
Jeanne (Morrissey) Medford, 76, of Mamaroneck, NY, passed away on September 6, 2025. Born on November 23, 1948, in Staten Island, Jeanne devoted her life to caring for others — first as a dedicated nurse and later as the beloved Granny who helped raise a new generation. Jeanne is survived by her children Amanda Messina and Phillip Medford; her grandchildren Gabriella and Michael; son in law Mike; and her sister Lynn. She was predeceased by her sisters Sandy and Annie.
Jeanne trained at St. Luke’s–Roosevelt Hospital and spent more than 50 years as a nurse at St. Luke’s, including many years as an ICU nurse manager. Her compassion, steady hands, and calm presence were a comfort to countless patients and families over the decades. Jeanne chose to retire twenty years ago and poured her energy into family life when her grandchildren Gabriella and Michael were born. She became indispensable to her grandchildren’s daily lives — even driving Michael home from high school until he passed his driving test. She delighted in being called “Granny” by all the children whose lives she touched, including Amanda’s nephews, her surrogate grandchildren, Jake, Charlie, Dylan, and Sean.
Jeanne was always learning something new: crochet, drawing, basket weaving and, more recently, canasta, bridge and mahjong. Her curiosity brought her joy and connected her to friends and neighbors. A lifelong New Yorker, she moved to Westchester after Covid; the friends she made at 490 Bleecker Street were integral to her happiness. Her family treasures the extra 5 years spent with her after Covid as a precious bonus.
As children, Amanda and Phillip were not permitted to watch television, so family life was full of games. Jeanne taught them to play rummy, hearts, Monopoly, and backgammon, a love of games she happily passed on to Gabriella and Michael. Game nights were a favorite way for her to connect with family — she was playful, competitive in the best way, and delighted in the laughter around the table. She will be remembered at many future family gatherings every time a deck is shuffled or a board is opened. The family often joked that Granny needed a hearing aide; when the kids teased her, she’d reply in mock offense, “It’s my hearing,” a line that became part of the household lore and is remembered with a smile.
Jeanne was always one for adventure. She celebrated her 70th birthday with Amanda, Mike, Gabriella, and Michael on a trip to Alaska, a memory the family treasures. In everyday life she could often be found on the sidelines (poorly dressed for the weather) cheering at Gabriella’s lacrosse and soccer games and at Michael’s football games, proudly supporting every milestone. As a young nurse she broke her leg while skiing, then pivoted and traveled to Barbados — where she took pictures on her favorite beach Rockley, a place she loved so much her ashes will be spread there.
She will be remembered for her fierce devotion to family, her boundless empathy, and her warm, steady presence.
A celebration of Jeanne’s life will be planned; details will be shared with family and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to a charity that supports nursing or elder care, or to a community organization meaningful to you.
Jeanne’s family will miss her tremendously, and they take comfort in the countless lives she brightened with her care, humor, and generosity. Granny you still need a hearing aide.