Jeannette A. (Jeffrey) Motta, 95, of Westport, peacefully passed away at home on Thursday, March 21, 2024 with her loving family by her side. She was the wife of the late Frank C. Motta.
Mrs. Motta was born in Westport and raised in the Fall River area until she was married in 1950. She was the daughter of the late Wilfred J. and Mary Jane (Johnson) Jeffrey and had resided in Westport for over 60 years .
Born during the Great Depression, she was the oldest of seven and went to work at a young age. She meet her husband at Lincoln Park Ballroom in Westport , a popular spot for Swing and Big Band dancing in the late 40's . He came from New Bedford and she from Fall River . She would say they met in the middle. They married and she began raising her own family. Of her many talents which included crafting, cake decorating, hairdressing, Girl Scouts leader and baseball mom - she loved sewing many outfits and costumes for her daughters. She was taught how to sew by her grandmother who was a seamstress to clientele in the Dartmouth area in the 1930's. She learned many things from her widowed grandmother, most of all, self confidence, to never give up or give into life's obstacles, and how to be a strong woman. She certainly was an exemplary role model for her children and grandchildren.
She was the quintessential grandmother, sweet, caring ,funny, quick with a joke and even quicker with a hug or some food. She could be seen caring for and taking grandkids all around town and enjoyed countless vacations, cruises and family gatherings. All of it was done with a smile while being impeccably dressed and coiffured.
In her later years, she was cared for and comforted by her primary caregivers, her daughter Patricia and her beloved grandson Christian, along with assistance from Erin, Karen, Margaret, Casey and Chaplain Carl among others at AccentCare.
She was cherished by her children: Paul Motta and his wife Linda of Westport, Patricia Kent and her husband Ed of Dartmouth and Jane Leonard and her husband John of Winthrop; brother: Robert Jeffrey of Fall River; sister: Constance Desmarais of Fall River; 7 grandchildren: Christian Riley, Matthew Riley, Adam Riley, Lynn Motta, Jason Motta, John Motta, and Elizabeth Yamashita; 9 great grandchildren; along with many loving nieces and nephews. She was the beloved grandmother of the late Jennifer Kent and sister of the late Wilfred Jeffrey, George Jeffrey, Henry Jeffrey and Carol Leduc.
Mass of Christian Burial to which relatives and friends are invited will be Monday, April 1, 2024 at St. John the Baptist Church, Westport at 11 A.M. Following the burial service, a repast meal at White's Restaurant will be offered .
Visitation will be Monday, April 1st from 9:30-10:30 A.M., at the Potter Funeral Home, prior to the Mass.
Interment will be in Beech Grove Cemetery.