Jean Silverstein, 93

DARTMOUTH, MASS. – Jean Harriett Silverstein, of Dartmouth, passed away peacefully on Oct. 22, 2022, at St. Luke’s Hospital. She was surrounded by family.

Jean was fiercely caring and selflessly nurturing. She’d seldom say more than a few words about herself, but – even into her 90s – eagerly followed and had a remarkable memory for the goings on of her friends and family. She kept one drawer for greeting cards and never missed a birthday. She kept another drawer full of cookies and sweets at the ready for her grandkids.

She was a wonderful cook, famous for her brisket and key lime pie, a skilled card player, a fashion icon. She loved travel, film and television, and – more than anything – her family.

She was the devoted wife to Joseph Silverstein; exceptional mother to Lois Silverstein Kramer, Steve Silverstein and the late David Silverstein; and loving mother-in law to Judy Silverstein and Merrill Kramer. She spoiled each of her eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Jean was born in Providence on Aug. 4, 1929, to local furriers Rose Lillian Robinson and Alfred Isaac Goodwin (formerly Gubernick). She attended Hope High School and Highland Manor finishing school in Asbury Park, New Jersey.

At 18, Jean was set up on a blind date with a Merchant Marines (and later Navy) officer from New Bedford. Jean and Joe married within a year and celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary in January.

Jean relished the Navy life, traveling with Joe to port cities across the globe. Jean was especially fond of Portugal and Italy and road trips they’d frequently take to Key West, tying a sea chest on their beach wagon and driving through the night with a lifelong family friend Richard Moore.

The two eventually set down roots in New Bedford then Dartmouth to raise their family. Joe ran Silverstein’s, the family clothing store, and Jean devoted herself to raising their three children and keeping a warm and welcoming home. It was the place where her children’s friends, and later her grandchildren, wanted to gather after school, because Jean always had treats at the ready and brownies warm from the oven. Jean – who was kind, affectionate and ready to listen, could always intuit the needs of those around her – was there.

Donations in Jean’s memory may be made to the Harry and Anna Silverstein Fund through Congregation Tifereth Israel in New Bedford.