WILMINGTON, MA — Jean S Hartka, Mother, Grandmother, friend, and loving member of her community died peacefully on Friday, August 4, 2023 at the age of 91. Jean will be remembered as a strong, hardworking, independent woman who valued family, friends, and traveling the world. Jean was an avid Red Sox and Patriots fan, and enjoyed a good cocktail with friends and family on many occasions.
Born in York, PA, Jean’s determination and success in the Church Home nursing school is notable. Jean married Joseph Hartka in1956, and moved their family to Wilmington, MA in the late 60’s from Baltimore, MD. In addition to raising five children, Jean was always an active member of the community, including her service as President of the Woman’s Club, Skirts and Flirts SDC, and the NESARDA and EDSARDA Square and Round Dance Associations, representative of the Welcome Wagon Program in Wilmington and Tewksbury, and member of the Gardening Club and the Red Hat Society. If there were a World Cup for Chinese Checkers, Jean certainly would have been the reigning champion of that organization as well!
Quick-witted and well appraised on world news and events, Jean enjoyed her friends at the Wilmington Senior Center and continued to travel the globe, visiting China, Peru, Egypt, and Turkey to name a few. Jean also continued to host every family holiday, preparing big meals and the best chocolate mousse on earth!
Jean leaves five children: Teresa and her husband Cleve Williams of Sterling Heights, MI; Kathryn and her husband Donald Michaud of Auburn, NH; Nancy Hartka of Jamaica Plain, MA; Stephen Hartka and his partner Tammie Reynolds of Lunenburg, MA; David and his wife Kimberly Hartka of Billerica, MA. Grandchildren: Kristen and her husband Jason Amaral of Stoughton, MA; Stefanie and her husband Craig Michaud of Manchester, NH; Joseph Hartka; Jillian Hartka; Jessica Hartka; Great Grandchild, Elliott Amaral, and many nieces and nephews.
Jean’s ashes will be interred at the Bourne National Cemetery and the family will hold a private remembrance. Friends are encouraged to make a donation to their favorite charity in Jean’s name.
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