Jean Marie Gaffey (nee Murphy),87, of Owensboro, passed away peacefully September 18, 2014 at Hilllcrest Nursing Center. Jean was born August 6, 1927 in Joliet, Illinois to the late Leo and Catherine Murphy. She was the oldest of 13 children, a graduate of Joliet Township High School and her family was chosen by vote as the typical farm family in 1948 and as ideal Catholic family in 1953. Jean married Thomas W. Gaffey in 1952, moved to Owensboro, Kentucky in 1964 and was a 50-year member of The Parish of the Immaculate. She was active in several parish ministries including President of the Altar Society, Secretary of the "Over-50s" club, and Parish council member for 3 years and began and organized the parish Bereavement Ministry in 1977. Awarded the Diocesan Sophia Award in 2001. Jean loved to cook, bake, play cards and entertain friends and family. In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by 1 sister, 4 brothers, a nephew, a great niece, and several aunts, uncles, and cousins. Jean is survived by a son, Tom (Jane) of Denver, Colorado; 2 daughters, Patti Terrell of Owensboro and Barbara (Carl) Steinhoff of Fort Myers, Florida; grandchildren, Sean Terrell, Natalie Steadman, Lauren Moore, Melissa Gaffey and Trey Steinhoff; and 4 great grandchildren. Expression of sympathy may take the form of donations to St. Joseph's Peace Mission and The Heartford House. A funeral mass for Jean will be held 10 am Tuesday, September 23, 2014 at Immaculate Catholic Church. Visitation will be from 3 pm until 7 pm Monday and after 9:00 am Tuesday at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory. Prayers will be said at 6:30 pm on Monday. A second funeral mass will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 235 West North Street, in Manhattan IL at 11 am Wednesday, September 24, 2014. Visitation before the mass will be from 9 am to 11am . Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Manhattan IL. Condolences for the family may be left at www.glennfuneralhome.com
Forsythe Funeral Home
507 S. State St.
Manhattan, IL 60442
815-478-3321