Obituary of Jean T. Colbert

On October 7, 2021, Jean T. Colbert passed away peacefully at home in her sleep—just as she had wished, with her family by her side. She was 89 years young. She was a teacher and homemaker and a resident of Madison, NJ for 51 years. She was the daughter of John Tracy and Alice (née Burns.) Siblings are John Tracy, Alice Henning, Mary Smith, and Edward Tracy. All previously deceased. Jean was married lovingly for 53 years to Francis X. Colbert, who passed away in 2019. She is the mother to Michael F. Colbert—wife Heather of Bridgewater, NJ and Kathleen A. Colbert of Madison, NJ. She is the nana to Madeline, Shea & Casey, all of Bridgewater, NJ. And the loving friend to Cavu, Piper, Miss D, Dodger, and Ellie. She comes from a large extended family with many nieces and nephews—all of whom she cherished and adored. Jean was born in New York City and grew up in Woodside, Queens, New York. She graduated St. Sebastian’s Grammar School, Woodside—1946, and St. Jean Baptiste High School—1950 in NYC. She earned her B.A. in Early Childhood Education from Fordham University and a Master’s in Education from Hunter College. Her love of children led her to become a teacher in the New York City Public School System. For over 12 years she taught in the South Bronx. Jean loved her 3rd and 4th grade classes there deeply and introduced them to the opportunities the City had to offer: orchestras, theater, sciences, and dance. She was a parishioner of St. Vincent Martyr Parish in Madison, New Jersey since moving to Madison in 1970. Jean was a founding member of Covenant House—Morris Area Auxiliary. She loved swimming at the Madison Community Pool and her “Shady Ladies.” The family also wishes to thank the nurses of BrightStar Care. We could not have made Jean’s life possible without all of your care, love, and affection for her. An at-home visitation is scheduled for October 12th, at 5:30 pm at the family's residence for prayers and celebration of her life. A funeral Mass will be said on October 13th at 10:00 am at St. Vincent Martyr Church, with interment immediately following at St. Vincent Martyr Cemetery, Madison, New Jersey. (Guests are respectfully requested to wear masks. The Funeral Mass will also be live-streamed at www.svmnj.org.) The family asks in lieu of flowers a donation may be made to Good Counsel Homes at www.goodcounselhomes.org in loving memory of Jean. Arrangements were under the care of Burroughs, Kohr & Dangler Funeral Home, Madison.