Jean S. (Stanley) Beirne

Jean S. Beirne

1929 - 2023

Jean Ursula (nee Stanley) Beirne, 94, died peacefully Oct. 31 at Dunwoody Village in Newtown Square. Formerly of Drexel Hill and Newtown Square, she was predeceased by her husband of 65 years, James J. Beirne, a noted Realtor who was very active in community and church affairs in Drexel Hill. 

Born in 1929, Jean attended four elementary schools throughout central and western Pennsylvania as her dad found employment as an electrician. She attended Our Mother of Good Counsel in Bryn Mawr and graduated from West Philadelphia Catholic High School for Girls on a Friday before starting work at Bryn Mawr Trust that Monday. It was there where she met her future husband, Jim Beirne, in 1949. Jim, a U.S Army veteran from 1943-1946, was 24 and worked as a mortgage loan officer. Jean said their first date was set up after an "impromptu paperclip battle" at the office. 

She passed her driver’s test the day before she was married on June 16, 1950.    

 After magnificently raising her eight children, she returned to the workforce for 15 years, working in the registrar’s office at Harcum College and St. Joseph’s University. She also attended Our Lady of the Angels College (now Neumann University) and Delaware County Community College, where she received her associate degree at the age of 72.

An avid artist, her works grace the houses of her children and grandchildren. She began painting as a child and studied painting at West Catholic and continued her studies at Haverford Night School and the Wayne Art Center. Her works were displayed at Gimbels department store when she was 17. Among her many art exhibits, she was part of a month-long, three-generation exhibit at the Newtown Public Library, featuring her work as well as the creations of her son Danny and her granddaughter Megan. 

Jim and Jean were a big part of the genesis and growth at Aronimink Swim Club in Drexel Hill, assisting in the creation of a vibrant tennis scene there in the 70s and 80s. Five of her children played tennis at Cardinal O’Hara High School with three going on to play at St. Joseph’s University.

She was an avid Phillies fan, never missing a game and always available for a post-game discussion. She also never missed her husband’s softball games at Steel Field and every other softball diamond in the Philadelphia area. Mr. Beirne was an exceptional softball pitcher, recording numerous no-hitters and one-hitters. They were proud of his St. Dorothy's teams.

Jean was adored by her entire extended family, becoming the best mother-in-law and “Grandma Jean” to those lucky few. Many of her children’s friends also looked to Jean for comfort and guidance. She would always take the time to listen to others’ concerns while never addressing hers. Her children and grandchildren would attest that loved, and shared, her ice cream and her chocolates. Bryers coffee or chocolate ice creams were her go-to. 

She was predeceased by her brother, Herbert Anthony Stanley Jr., and three sisters, Anne (Stanley) McGranahan, Rita (Stanley) Alberici and Sister Charlotte Stanley, RSM.

She is survived by four sons, James Jr. (Mary Ann Altergott) of St. Louis, Michael (Mary Kay) of Marietta, Pa, Dan (Regina Munley) of West Chester and Jerry of Berwyn; three daughters, Barbara Kagen of Springfield, Charlotte Schug (Brian) of Berwyn and Susan Mills (Bill) of Newtown Square. She was the mother of the late Brian, her angel. She is also survived by 19 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Funeral Mass is Saturday, Nov. 4, at 10 a.m. at St. Anastasia Church, 3301 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, PA, where friends may call at 9 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in her name to the Dunwoody Trust. Donations may be made out by check to the Dunwoody Village Trust (attn. Kelly McCullough, 3500 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, PA 19073). ***Note in the memo section, “In Memory of Jean Beirne.”

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