Obituary of Jean Elizabeth Sperandeo

Jean Elizabeth (nee Buettner) Sperandeo was born May 27, 1944, and went to be with Jesus on March 10, 2023. She was born to Theodore and Ann (nee Griglik) Buettner, and raised in Ozone Park, Queens, NY with her three sisters. She met her husband, Paul Sperandeo, and they wed in July 1971. Jean was blessed with two children, Justine Sperandeo Buzzetta and David John Sperandeo. She leaves behind her husband; her children and their spouses, Dan and Cara; five grandchildren, Anthony, Michael, Elizabeth, Alexa and Zachary; siblings, Maureen Kozlowski and her husband, Vic, and Eileen Winters; a sister-in-law, Grace DiScala and her husband, Ralph; many nieces and nephews; and her two adopted grandchildren, Michael and Gabriel.  Jean was predeceased by her sister, Joan Restivo. 

Jean was a stay-at-home mom until her children were in middle school.  She went back to school, receiving her GED and then continuing on to get an Associate’s Degree in Early Education. Jean was very involved with her children when they were in primary school, leading the PTO and many events which enriched her children’s’ education. She worked for the New York City Board of Education for almost twenty years as a paraprofessional helping students with special needs.

Jean was a presence in her neighborhood of Woodhaven, Queens, where she raised her family. In addition to her involvement with schools, she was also an active participant in her parish of St Thomas the Apostle.  Jean led the Charismatic Renewal and prayer meetings, always being a source of comfort and guidance to those whom she met and touched.

Jean was an example to many people for her tremendous faith in God, trusting in his love and teachings. Her faith was tested over the years with many afflictions that she overcame by the grace of God.  Her family finds peace and solace knowing she is no longer suffering and is in heaven whole again.

With her husband, Jean moved to the Surrey Downs Community in Freehold, New Jersey, in 2018.  Again, she was an active member of the community playing Bingo, Po Ke No, and enjoying trips to Atlantic City.  Jean continued to grow her faith and became a parishioner of the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine.   

Visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Sunday, March 19, 2023, from 2:00 to 6:00 PM.  Family and friends are invited to gather at the funeral home on Monday, March 20, 2023, at 9:30 AM for the procession to Jean’s Funeral Mass at 10:30 AM at the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold.  Interment will be private.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN  38105.  For information, directions, or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.