Smithwick Genealogy

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Obituary - Jean Nadeau



Source Information

  • Short Title Obituary - Jean Nadeau 
    Publisher newingtonmemorial.com 
    Source ID S23 
    Text Jean Nadeau

    Born: Aug. 12, 1925
    Died: Dec. 21, 2011

    Visitation: Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Newington Memorial
    Map to visitation

    Service: Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. at Newington Memorial - 20 Bonair Avenue, Newington - 860-666-0600
    Map to service

    Cemetery: Center Cemetery, Newington

    Princess Bluebird (Jean Burton Nadeau), 86, of Newington joined family and other dear friends when she moved from this life to the next on Wednesday, December 21st. She was the widow of Albert H. Nadeau who passed in 2001. Born in Watertown, CT on August 12, 1925, she was the last surviving child of the late Chief Grey Fox (Charles Raymond Burton) and the late Lois Slason Burton of Woodbury, CT. She was predeceased by siblings Raymond “Honey” Burton, Evelyn Burton Paulesky (Morning Flower) and most recently, Frederick William Burton (Leaping Deer ). She is survived by her son and his wife, Gary W. Nadeau and Nina Belliveau of Palm Springs, CA, her daughter Susan A. Nadeau of Newington, CT and her daughter Karen E. Nadeau of Old Lyme, CT. She also leaves behind her four step children: Adele Nadeau Mead and her husband Dr. Joseph Mead of Haymarket, VA; Donald Nadeau and his wife Pat of Watertown, CT; Sylvia Nadeau Flynn of Lewisville, NC; and David Nadeau and his wife Pam of Blairsville, GA. Jean is also survived by 2 grandchildren: Daniel L. Tepper of Oxnard, CA and Holly Jean Kelleher of NY, NY. In addition, she was Grandma Jean to Kevin, Timothy, Cary, Mark, Faye, Curt, Leanne, Cary, Ronnie, Sherrie, Brian, Marci Jo, Justin and Katie. She will also be missed by many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. Jean along with her husband Al, were well known in Newington having owned the Ideal Restaurant and Motel, the Laurel Motel and the Colonial Sandwich and Ice Cream Shoppe in Newington from the 1950’s through the 1970’s. She was instrumental in forming the Businessman’s Association in Newington, the predecessor to the Newington Chamber of Commerce, where she was a charter member. Jean was subsequently Director of Sales at the Holiday Inn in Meriden, Director of Sales at the Ramada Inn at Bradley International Airport and last as the Director of Sales at Howard Johnson’s Motor Lodge in Rocky Hill. She was active in the industry having served as President of the Hotel Sales Management Association and involved with both the Connecticut Hotel-Motel Association and the Greater Hartford Convention and Visitors Bureau. Jean and Al moved to Deerfield Beach, Florida in 1980 following his retirement. She relocated to North Carolina in 2006 to be closer to her step-daughter and dear friend, Sylvia. In 2010 she returned to CT where her daughters, Susan and Karen, reside. During the 1940’s Jean held her private pilot’s license and was a member of the Civil Air Patrol. She participated in a reunion with her brother Bill a few years ago and this was a highlight of her later years. In addition, she was very active with Native American activities with her father, Chief Grey Fox. She attended many pow-wows and ceremonies including the one when CT Governor Robert Hurley proclaimed September 26 as Indian Day in 1941. She treasured her lifetime membership in the DAR through her maternal ancestry. Jean was also involved with and past President of the Women’s Club in Deerfield Beach, FL where she brought a struggling chapter back to life. Jean was also an active member in the Red Hat Society and enjoyed participating in their many activities. Jean and Al had many friends in Newington and at the Wethersfield Country Club. She remained lifelong friends with Dolly Horrigan, Bernadette Kennedy and Gen Ginn and fondly recalled their social activities as couples in the 1960’s and 1970’s. She was truly the life of the party and will be missed dearly by family and friends alike. Friends and family are invited to gather at the Newington Memorial Funeral Home at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 27, 2011, her funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. Burial will immediately follow in Center Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband, Al. In lieu of flower arrangements, guests are asked to bring cut flowers for the burial ceremony. 
    Linked to Chief Charles Raymond "Grey Fox" Burton
    Jean "Princess Bluebird" Burton
    Albert Henry Nadeau
    Lois Slason