Jean P. (Collins) Hull, 89, of Westford, formerly of Concord, died peacefully in her sleep on Monday, November 25, 2024, at Bridges by Epoch in Westford, following a long illness.
The third of four daughters, Jean, was born in Salem on October 25, 1935, to the late Henry and Delia Collins. She and her sisters attended St. Mary’s School, Ste. Chretienne Academy, and the Immaculate Conception Church in downtown Salem. President of her high school class of ’52 and editor of the yearbook, she worked hard in school, proudly earning a scholarship to Merrimack College. While there, she joined many clubs, including the Sailing Club, the Dramatic Club, the Young Democrats, the Sodality, and the Choral Society, and was vice president of the Literary Club. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in English in 1957.
Following graduation, Jean began her brief career as a teacher at the Juniper School near Salem Willows, as her mother had done before her.
“Jeanie,” as she was affectionately called, was sparkling and witty, outgoing and amiable, and had many lifelong friends from her Salem neighborhood. She had a keen sense of humor and a contagious laugh that made her the center of any group. An avid baseball fan, she and her friends took the train into Fenway Park on many occasions to cheer on her beloved Boston Red Sox.
While working as a summer playground instructor, she met Bob, a physics student at MIT and an off-duty lifeguard from Willows Beach. They hit it off instantly and became inseparable, marrying at Immaculate Conception in December 1958.
For the next decade, from 1960-70, the couple traveled across the country and back, bearing six children along the way. Bob eventually gained employment at MIT Lincoln Laboratory, which brought them back to Massachusetts, where they settled in Concord in 1969.
Jean and Bob lived happily in Concord for 50 years. They actively attended St. Bernard’s Church (later Holy Family Parish) in Concord Center, enjoyed friendly bridge games with neighbors and other couples from the lab, and hosted clam bakes and “Adventures in Eating” social gatherings together. Jean joyfully volunteered her time and energy to many causes, including Sodality, the Mill Dames, and FISH of Concord (Friends in Service Helping), where she wrote newsletters, answered phones and coordinated rides for people in need. She taught CCD for St. Bernard’s and volunteered in the CCD office. Jean enjoyed reading and writing poetry, sailing, and singing with her young children. She was a Brownie and Cub Scout leader, a homemaker, and had many friends in the community.
Jean is predeceased by her husband of 62 years, Robert J. Hull, who died in October 2021, and three sisters: Barbara (Collins) Dolan, Suzanne (Collins) Curran, and Marilyn (Collins) Pauley.
She is survived by her children: John Hull and his wife Deborah of Madison, Wisconsin; Gerald “Jerry” Hull and his wife Amy of Amherst, New Hampshire; Suzanne (Hull) Stanley of Nashua, New Hampshire; Martha Hull of Concord; Carol (Hull) Green and her husband, Bob of Medford; Matthew Hull, Sr. and his wife Laurie of Falmouth; and 10 grandchildren: Joshua Stanley and his wife Amanda; Alison, Kylie, Hailey and Victoria Hull; Tyler Hull; Matthew Jr. and Mary Hull; and Charlotte and Sean Green; one great-grandson, Charles Stanley; and many nieces and nephews.
Family and friends will gather for visiting hours from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 19, at Dee Funeral Home, 27 Bedford Street, Concord Center. Jean’s funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday, December 20, in St. Bernard’s Church at Holy Family Parish, 12 Monument Square, Concord Center. Burial will follow at St. Bernard’s Cemetery in Concord.
In lieu of flowers, tribute donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org.
Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service. To share a remembrance or to offer a condolence in Jean’s online guestbook, visit DeeFuneralHome.com.
