Jean Destito, 77, of Oneida

ONEIDA » Jean Destito, age 77, of Oneida, passed away early Sunday morning, Oct. 8, 2017, in Upstate Medical Center with her loving family at her side after a long, hard fought battle with pancreatic cancer.

She was born on Jan. 15, 1940, the daughter of the late George and Edith (Holt) Brewster and graduated in the top ten of her class at Vernon-VeronaSherrill Central School.

Jean was known as a very hard worker. Although it was rare for a woman at the time, she purchased her current house and “three cabins” on Union Street at the age of 24, just a couple of houses from her childhood home. She was a young mother and worked as a telephone operator, a waitress, and rented “the cabins” to many people over the years. In 2004, she retired from Syracuse Newspapers, where she had worked for nearly 20 years.

In 1968, Jean and Frank A. Destito were united in marriage in Florence, N.Y., and have shared this union of over 49 years together.

She was a talented artist, and loved nature, gardening, music, sewing, cooking, and especially caring for her huge lawn. She took care of everyone and every animal in the neighborhood. She believed in giving everyone a chance and a little help once in a while to get them going. Many people thought of her house as their second childhood home. Above all, she was loved by many, and will always be remembered as “everyone’s Mom”.

Surviving are her husband, Frank A. Destito of Rome; her four children and their spouses, Tice and Patty Streeter of Morrisville, N.Y., Kathy Destito of Nashville, Tenn., Lisa (Destito) and Shawn Rose of Cicero, N.Y., Rick and Michelle Destito of Syracuse, N.Y.; brothers Dick Brewster, George Brewster, Robert Brewster; brotherin law Bob Shultheis; and her grandchildren, Wyatt Streeter, Josh Hodge, Liz Hodge, Michelle Rose, Matthew Rose, Isabella Destito, Amelia Destito; many nieces and nephews; several foster children; and Alexandria Franchell, whom she raised as her own. She was predeceased by her sister, Eva Shultheis.

Arrangements were made at the convenience of the family with the Malecki Funeral Home of Sherrill. Online condolences may be sent to maleifuneralhome.com