"My condolences to Jeanne?s family. I will miss my dear friend Jeanne, we had wonderful times together with the University Society of Providence association. I?ll always remember her kind and gentle approach to life. She was so proud of her wonderful family and would always remark how great her daughters were. When I think back to my best memories Jeanne will always be front and center. Sincerely, Mike Ritchie "
In loving memory of
Jeanne Marie Nassa
September 29, 1939 - April 4, 2022
Our sweet mother, Jeanne Marie Nassa, 82, of Middletown, Rhode Island, passed away on April 4, 2022. She was the wife of the late Ralph Nassa and formerly to the late John T. Hennessey.
Jeanne was born September 29, 1939, in Boston, MA, to John W. and Marie M. (Connell) Leonard. Jeanne is survived by her children: Karen Hennessey of West Roxbury, MA, Kathleen Hennessey and her husband, Daryl Van Nuland, of Mansfield, MA, and Susan Frost and her husband, Richard "Buck" Frost of Middletown, RI. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Alex Bouthillier and his wife, Meg of Providence, RI, Sam Van Nuland and his fiancee, Olivia Sokol of Menlo Park, CA, James Van Nuland of Boston, MA, Tatyana Frost of Manchester, NH, and Aidan "Pashka" Frost of the US Navy; her brother, James Leonard and his wife Kathleen and their children and grandchildren, and many cousins and friends.
Jeanne grew up in Roslindale, MA, graduated from St. Mary's H.S. in Brookline, MA and received her Bachelor's of Science in Education from Boston State Teachers College in Boston, MA in 1961, and her Master's of Arts Degree in Human Development from Salve Regina University in 1976.
She taught kindergarten for a year in Norwood, MA before marrying in 1962 and relocating to Middletown, where she was a substitute teacher. She was also the program director of the Martin Luther King Program for 5 years as she grew her family.
After earning her master's degree, she worked as a meal-site director for the Portsmouth Senior Center. From there she became the Project Director for the East Bay Area at Self Help, Inc. where she planned, organized, and directed services for over 10,000 elderly clients per year, supervised a staff of 250 employees, and prepared and monitored over $500,000 in grants annually. And as such, she was on a national board which she attended many conferences over the years which took her to many major cities across the US.
She moved on to become the Project Director for RI Meals on Wheels and received a state grant for the prevention of elderly abuse in R.I.
She sold real estate for a couple of years before returning to the human services field as a social case worker at the RI Dept. of Children, Youth, and Families for 6 years, where she provided direct services to children, youth, and their families throughout the state.
Her final occupation was as a Rehabilitation Counselor at the RI Dept. of Human Services, Office of Rehabilitation Services. In this role, she helped individuals with disabilities access appropriate services to be able to live independently, pursue further education, and/or find employment.
By Jeanne's teaching and advocating, through all of her occupational, social, and familial roles, she made a genuine impact on numerous lives from children to the elderly as well as people with disabilities.
In 1999 she remarried. She and her late husband, Ralph Nassa, ran Seaside Cottage, a B&B in downtown Newport for many years, entertaining guests from all over the world.
Jeanne loved to travel and visited places such as California, Florida, Maine, Virginia, Ireland, and Italy. She was also a voracious reader, her love of reading began as a young girl and continued throughout her life. She participated in several different social groups throughout the years such as the American Association of University Women, Newport Garden Club, Newport County Bed & Breakfast Association, just to name a few. Jeanne was also an active parishioner at Trinity Church in Newport.
Jeanne will be dearly missed by her family, friends and all of the numerous lives she touched throughout her life. She told us that when we see a butterfly, it will be her sending her love and support to all.
Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, April 21 from 4-7pm at Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Rd Portsmouth, RI. Her funeral service will be held on Friday, April 22 at 11:00 am at Trinity Church in Newport.
Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, www.stjude.org or to the Caine Family Scholarship Fund for Salve Regina University students https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/16775/donations/new
Tributes
"Was a true honor to have met such a gracious, kind, and caring woman; whom made a difference in my life at a time when I had recently loss my Mother. Her grace and the care she showed everyone she met, was a true statement of the woman she was. I feel very honored to have met her, and very grateful for our conversations. She truly made a strong statement in my heart, that I will hold very close, always. God bless you all with the memories she will forever live on in your heart. Love, Terry "
"My sincere condolences on Jeanne?s passing. Her kindness and smile will never be forgotten! With love & respect, Theresa Drumm"
"My condolence to Karen Hennessay and Susan Frost and families. I have very pleasant memories with your mother and Ralph. "
"To the loving family of our dear Jeanne Nassa. It was a lucky day for Uncle Ralph Nassa when he won the heart of the lovely Jeanne and became her husband. We became part of her family and she became part of ours. We send our deepest condolences to her daughters and family. Robert and Pat Bernalewski "
"Genuine, sweet soul. It was a pleasure working where she lived, I enjoyed our conversations and truly will always remember her. Such a beautiful lady inside and out. "
"Sorry to hear of jeans passing,I'm so glad she got to be a dear member to our family. Truly will be missed Rest in peace beside uncle Ralph ? my deepest condolences to all she touched and especially her daughter's and grandchildren. Sincerely Anne drumm rantuccio"
"Kathi, your mom lived a wonderful life. I can?t imagine how many lives she touched and made better due to her giving nature. My condolences to you and your family. Allyson"
"She was an AMAZING woman! May she enjoy collecting all the gold stars and halos that she earned. ??"