MELROSE, MA – Mrs. Jean A. (Balfour) Meharg Beers, a longtime resident of Melrose, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 2, 2014 at the Melrose-Wakefield Hospital, at age 91. Jean was born on June 1, 1922 in Melrose, one of four children of the late Irwin A. Balfour and Essie (Towle) Balfour. Raised in Melrose, she graduated from Melrose High School.Jean worked at Clements Department Store in Melrose, at Dr. Vincze Office’s in Melrose, and John Hancock Life Insurance in Boston. Jean led a very active life that centered around her love of swimming. She was a longtime member of the Melrose YMCA where she coached the girls swim team. She taught swimming into her 70’s at the Reading YMCA and continued swimming until age 89.
After moving to Florida, Jean enjoyed competing in the Ormond Beach Senior Games every year. She served as Chairperson for the Games for several years and at age 75 was the “one to beat” in the various senior events. She also enjoyed her membership in the Daytona Beach Rowing Club. Jean was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star Melrose Chapter #14, Phi Theta Xi Sorority, and the Melrose Highlands Congregational Church. Active throughout her life, Jean was always ready to organize a good time for family and friends. She also always looked forward to a date with the “Lunch Bunch” of friends from the Melrose Highlands Congregational Church. Jean loved spending the summers throughout her life in Westford where she had a cottage. She was actively involved with her beloved grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and cherished the time she spent with them.
She was the beloved wife of the late Gilbert L. “Gil” Beers and Joseph I. Meharg. Loving mother of Thomas J. Meharg and his wife Martha of Reading, and Kenneth I. Meharg and his wife Sue of Melrose. Dear sister of the late Alan Balfour Jr., Byron “Buddy” Balfour and David Balfour. Cherished grandmother of Nathan J. Meharg of Malden, Justin A. Meharg of Goffstown, NH, Julie L. Cincotti of Boston, Laurie S. Koski of Westford, Alison B. Lennon of Matthews, NC., Jesse J. Meharg of Revere, Kara Bame of CA and Drew Russell of CA. Cherished great grandmother of Garrett T. Meharg of Malden, Katelyn N. Meharg of Goffstown, NH., Avery J. Meharg of Goffstown, NH., Natalia R. Cincotti of Boston, Joseph J. Cincotti of Boston, Camila M. Cincotti of Boston, Carter D. Koski of Westford, A. Ryder Lennon of Matthews, NC and Josie E. Lennon of Matthews, NC. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends will gather in honor of Jean’s life for visiting hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main Street, Melrose, on Thursday, February 6th from 4:00-8:00 p.m. and on Friday morning at the Melrose Highlands Congregational Church, 355 Franklin Street, Melrose, MA where her funeral service will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m.
Gifts in her memory may be made to the Remembrance Fund at the church. For directions, online tribute or to share a memory, visit www.robinsonfuneralhome.com
