Jeanette T. (Lynch) Besen, 94, of Florham Park, NJ, formerly of Carle Place, NY, passed away peacefully on May 10, 2020.

Born in The Bronx, NY, Jeanette was also known as Jean, Aunt Jean, Nana, Mom, or Ma. She lived a full life and raised three children with her husband, Martin. She returned to work in her 40's as a banker in Manhattan, then enjoyed traveling in retirement with her husband. She loved being at the ocean by the water listening to the waves. Jeanette's greatest joy in life was having her family all together. And if there happened to be an occasional martini or Asti Spumante served, so much the better! As she grew older, she never lost her love for reading, board games, cards, Scrabble, bingo, Rummikub, word games, and crossword puzzles.

While strong in opinion, she was careful in expressing it — "if you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all." A quiet, patient listener, she rarely judged during the process. She was fiercely independent and lived alone until the age of 93. She worked hard in everything she did and did it without much fanfare. Jeanette was a kind, loving, and very generous person to all.

Jeanette was predeceased by the love of her life, her husband, Martin R. Besen, her granddaughter, Kelly Jeanne O'Day, and nine siblings. She is survived by her sister, Patricia Richardson; her children Dan and Kim Besen, Deborah and Michael O'Day, Barbara and John Bartolomeo; her grandchildren Katie and Steve Dantonello, Colleen O'Day, Danielle Jeanette Besen, Victoria, John, and Joseph Bartolomeo; great-grandchildren Ava and Nolan Dantonello; and many loving nieces and nephews.

A memorial service and celebration of Jeanette's life will be held at a future date.

Donations in memory of Jeanette can be made to The American Heart Association or The American Cancer Society.

American Cancer Society
P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City OK 73123-1718
Tel: 1-800-227-2345
Web: http://www.cancer.org/

American Heart/ Stroke Association
P.O. Box 840692, Dallas TX 75284-0692
Tel: 1-800-242-8721
Web: http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/