Jean Frances Lupo

Jean Frances Lupo, 87, of Spring Valley/La Mesa, CA died after a brief battle with Covid-19.

Jean is survived by her daughter, Sherri Tyler & her husband, James (Jim), her grandson Nicholas Lupo, her great-grand daughter, Gracey Lupo and her late son, Donald’s fiancée, Hope Sirekis. Other survivors are her brother, Frank Szeles and his wife Maria, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband P. Albert Lupo, her sons Paul & Donald and her sister Barbara Lamanno.

Jean was born in Darien, Connecticut to Frank & Jeanette (Jennie) Selas. She enjoyed the rich culture of her Hungarian grandparents. She loved going to their home with her father. She would eat Hungarian cookies and try to pick out some Hungarian words as the grownups talked. As the first grandchild she was dearly loved. She was especially fond of “Auntie and Uncle”. They were like her second parents. Jean would often run to Auntie’s if she got upset at her mom. She enjoyed telling how they took her on a train trip to Kentucky, where Uncle grew up.

At 6 years old Jean got a baby brother and at 8 years old her sister was added. Being the older sister she took good care of them. During the summer, Frankie remembers their mom leaving them at the beach with Jean in charge.

As a teen, Jean loved going to the beach and sunbathing. She played field hockey in high school. She took piano lessons growing up and years later could still play a little.

Jean’s best friend, Sue, was dating Carl, whose best friend was Albert “Al” Lupo. Thus, Sue and Carl introduced Jean & Al. They began dating and in 1952, got married. Jean now experienced a very different culture – Italian. Al was the youngest of 11. Jean would say “You have a sister the same age as my mother?” Jean was very shy around strangers. How hard it was to go to dinner at the Lupo home where everyone was loud and talked at the same time. On those visits, the skinny, gray-eyed blonde stayed close to Al. In time, Jean grew to appreciate the family and became close to Al’s sister Louise and Ralph Lupo’s wife, Lois. In 1953, Al’s brother, Dave married Eva. Eva and Jean would be close all their lives until Eva got Alzheimer’s disease. When Eva could no longer speak, Jean would often express how much she missed talking with her.

Al also introduced Jean to another family, Jehovah’s Witnesses. Jean would accompany Al when he went to the religious meetings at the Kingdom Hall in Stamford, CT. Again, this shy woman hung tightly to Al’s hand. However, she liked what she learned and grew to love the Bible truths and the wonderful international brotherhood. She was very fond of the ones in the congregation and especially appreciated how diverse races and cultures could meet together and be a truly united family. In 1958, she got baptized at The “Divine Will” International Assembly of Jehovah’s Witnesses held in New York. It was to be the first of many International Conventions she would enjoy. Over the years, Jean and Al would travel to Germany, Austria, Spain, Peru, Hungary and Russia to attend such conventions.

Family was very important to Jean. She loved her 3 children very much. Oh, but she was so excited to get a grandchild. When Nick (Nicky) was born, she and Al went to the hospital as soon as allowed. Sherri would say to Jean “You love Nicky more than me!” But that was okay because Jean’s heart was big enough. Jean and Al were very happy when Nick had a daughter to make them great-grand parents. They didn’t get to meet her in person but were glad to see her over video or speak to her on the phone.

You weren’t Jean & Al’s friends, you were family. They would open their hearts to many in Connecticut, Vermont and California. They especially enjoyed being considered part of the Whitney extended family. Jean loved children, from her nieces & nephews to the little ones in the congregations. Jean loved being called Grammy by the children in Royalton, Vermont. In the late 1960’s, Jean was to meet Judy Roberts. Years after Judy’s death, Jean would say she never had another friend like Judy. Their friendship would bond their families into one.

Jean had many kind caregivers in her life and she grew fond of them. Such as, CNAs- Karla Lomeli, Esmeralda, Prince, Pinky, Kadesha and Yemi, RNs –Aida, Esther, Vilma, Armand, Joy, Benji and Amelia. Also, Tuesha, Aida, Donna, John, Soledad and Sierra as well as the office staff: Debbie, Judy, Susan and Doris. Of course, Ta who over saw it all and Jean’s go to man - Charles.

Something that brought Jean great joy was telling others about her Father, Jehovah and the wonderful future he promises in the Bible. She looked forward to the time when God would restore paradise to this earth. When there would be peace and happiness everywhere. Where no virus or sickness would separate loved ones. And when her beloved Al and sons Paul & Donald and other loved ones would be resurrected and returned to her arms. These promises at Psalms 37:10, 11 &29, John 5:28, Revelation 21:3, 4 sustained her and helped to her to cope and regain joy in her life. Now, it is her family’s turn to wait. Waiting for the time when Jean will be awakened from death, to laugh with them again.

A Memorial service will be held on September 19, 2020 at 1:00 pm PST via “Zoom Meeting APP”.
Sign-in time begins at 12:00 pm PST. //// Meeting ID: 923 2545 2865 Password: jeanlupo
Please rename device with name and number of listeners. ex: 2 Jim & Sherri Tyler
If possible, please use a single device per household.
Please contact family for phone tie-ins or if you need the meeting link.