Obituary of Jeanne Vanderbeek Downey

Jeanne Vanderbeek Downey, age 43 of Lebanon, NJ died after a long illness, Friday, June 13, 2014 at St. Barnabas Hospital in Livingston. Raised in North Bergen, NJ, she was the daughter of Judi Vanderbeek and the late Joseph Vanderbeek. Jeanne also lived in Woodbridge, NJ and Whitehouse Station, NJ before moving to Lebanon in 2002. Jeanne graduated from Kean College with a major in Interior Design. She continued her love of art as a graphic designer and through freelance ventures such as Art by Jeanne and Mama's Nest. Jeanne shared her gift through beautiful pieces of art given to family and friends, and by teaching others art history through the Gallery Time program in the Clinton Township School District. Jeanne continuously gave back to her family and community by volunteering as a Girl Scout leader, a CCD teacher at Immaculate Conception Church in Annandale, and volunteering her time at the schools of her children. Jeanne will also be remembered for her hospitality as she welcomed everyone to her home for gatherings. She loved working in her garden and encouraged others to love and care for her world as much as she did. She is survived by her loving husband, John; her three cherished children, Caitlyn, Samantha and Jack all at home. She will be missed by her mother Judi Vanderbeek of Phillipsburg, NJ. She will be fondly remembered by her sister Tracie and husband Michael Bruno of Smyrna, DE; her sister Coleen Vanderbeek of Phillipsburg, NJ; and her brother Joseph Vanderbeek and his wife Katie of Gladstone, Missouri. Her three nieces and two nephews will cherish the time they had with her. A funeral liturgy will be celebrated on Friday, June 20, 2014 at 11:00 AM at Immaculate Conception Church in Annandale. Friends may visit with the family on Thursday, June 19, 2014 from 2:00 - 4:00 and 6:00 - 8:00 PM at the Kearns Funeral Home, 103 Old Highway 28, Whitehouse, NJ 08888. Burial will be in Immaculate Conception Cemetery. Jeanne was always looking to help others. Please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society, 7 Ridgedale Ave. Suite 103, Cedar Knolls, NJ 07927 or www.cancer.org in lieu of flowers. For more information or to send condolences please visit www.kearnsfuneralhome.com