Jean Ganno (Horrocks), born September 26, 1931, died peacefully in her sleep of congestive heart failure on December 20, 2024, surrounded by those who loved her.
She enjoyed over 93 years of love, laughter, family time, and beautiful friendships.
Born in Bolton, England, to James Horrocks and Nelley (Wolfenden) Horrocks, she grew up on a farm with her six siblings. Jack, Fred, Harry, Cyril, Annie, and Margret who have all preceded her in death. A piece of her heart was always in the UK and she loved keeping in touch with family there.
She kept close ties with her nieces, Susan Prince and Nancy Hough, who always kept her up to date with what was going on there. Her visits back to England were very special to her.
She met her husband, John “Danny” Ganno, in Bolton while he was serving in the US Air Force. He saw her on a bus and followed her home, teasing her until she agreed to go out with him.
They married shortly after in 1950 and started their family while constantly traveling as he continued to serve in the military. They spent 4 years living in Berlin, Germany with their four young children, Michael Ganno, Connie Ganno, Paul Ganno and Caroline Marco.
In 1971, they suffered the tragic drowning of their 21 year old son Michael.
Jean and her family became long time residents of Wakefield MA and then Somerville, MA, where they also raised their fifth child, Tara Hurley.
Jean was a lifelong homemaker. She took pride in creating a warm home for her family and anyone who spent time there. Her door was always open. She would offer you a home cooked meal, a glass of iced tea, a place to stay and have your laundry done for you before you woke up. Taking care of people and loving them unconditionally is how she lived her life. She extended that love to all animals and took in every stray cat that ever crossed her path.
She lost her husband to lung cancer in 2000, shortly after their 50th wedding anniversary.
In 2001 she moved to Hallandale, Florida where she lived for the next 17 years. She made many close friends and enjoyed shopping, going out to dinner, trips to the race track/casino and Sunday brunches after church. She loved living in Florida and was always excited to share what she was doing there.
She was most proud of her grandchildren, Angelee Ganno, Eden Marco, Reece Marco, Cal Hurley and Kendal Hurley. They all had a very special bond with their “Grandma”/”Grammy”.
For the last 7 years of her life, she lived in Reading, MA with Tara, her husband Keith Hurley, their two children and beloved dog, Tucker. Being close to her children and their families in these final years is something everyone will cherish.
She also spent a lot of time with her loving friend, Kathy Hurley. They would enjoy weekly adventures driving around Somerville reminiscing, shopping, having lunch and their nightly routine of watching Family Feud or Dancing With The Stars together.
She never met a mall or a slot machine she didn’t like and if you were lucky enough to have met her, then you were lucky enough to have felt her love and kindness, because that’s how she treated everyone.
Jean leaves behind countless friends and family who loved her and she will be missed beyond measure.
