Jean B. Seecharan

Jean Bernadette Seecharan passed in her sleep on Saturday 4th July. She was born to Victoria and Joseph on 6th December 1933 in Trinidad. She had three siblings, Kelvin who passed before her and she is survived by her sisters Brenda and Patsy. She had two sons with her husband Rowland who passed in 2021. Jean and Rowland had two sons Karl and Kurt and Jean is also survived by Rowland’s other children, including Wendy, Marlene and Fiona. Jean’s sons Karl and Kurt had two children, Jordan and Keenan and Samuel and Alice. Jean was devastated when Jordan sadly passed in 2019 following a car accident. Jean is also survived by her two great – grandchildren.

Jean grew up and went to school in Trinidad passing a national student nursing scheme as the best graduate in the country before leaving for London to train and work, becoming both SRN and RGN - state registered nurse and registered general nurse having completed a degree and midwifery training courses. It was in London that she would meet her husband of 61 years, Rowland and they married on 30th June 1960. Their careers took them at various times to Germany, back to Trinidad, England, Zambia and the USA. Jean worked as a nurse in New York and for Blue Cross Blue Shield in the 1980s before returning to Harlow, Essex to return to nightshifts at Princess Alexandra hospital in Harlow, often returning home with presents from patients who clearly valued her care and consideration.

As Rowland and Jean neared retirement age they sought warmer climes and having initially considered a return to Trinidad eventually settled in Harlingen, Texas where they enjoyed the warm climate. Rowland and Jean continued to work in Pharmacy and Nursing respectively whilst Jean also began volunteering in organisations such as the Rotary Club. They loved receiving visitors whether local or from farther afield especially their sons and grandchildren with particularly enjoyable holidays and memories from time spent at South Padre Island. Sadly, as age, illness and infirmity took over first Jean and then Rowland retired. The adjustment for Jean was exacerbated by Rowland passing in 2021 and her gradual decline as Alzheimer’s took a terrible toll on her body and once sharp mind. Jean’s friends and family are devastated by the loss but pray that she is resting in peace and no longer in pain and discomfort.

Jean’s family will receive relatives and friends on Sunday 12th July from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home with the recitation of the Holy Rosary at 7:00 p.m. m on Sunday evening. The Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Harlingen on Monday 13th July and Jean will be laid to rest at Restlawn Memorial Park in La Feria.

Flowers or donations to Alzheimer’s Society are very much appreciated.