JEANNE ANNE FERO
September 12, 1945 - December 3, 2018
Jeanne A. Fero, 73, of Chittenango passed quietly on Monday with her husband, Jim by her side, after several years of battling the ups and downs of pancreatic cancer. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend.
She grew up in Syracuse with her mother, Margaret and sister Susan. She was a graduate of SUNY Oswego with her degree in teaching K-12.
They lived in Syracuse and moved to Chittenango where they made a wonderful life for their two children, Jenifer and Ian. She sculpted and molded her children into the people they are today. Not only was she a great mother, but she was an amazing person, loving grandmother, and aunt. Aunt Jeanne was always there for her nieces and nephews too. Jim and Jeanne were always there to listen, laugh and love them.
During her illness, Jeanne continued to work as a substitute teacher at Chittenango Central Schools. She has been teaching there for over forty years and was a student body favorite. She not only taught academic but life lessons to her students and was a mentor to other teachers. The class of 2018 voted to dedicate their yearbook to her, an honor she cherished.
Jeanne also worked at the Lorenzo State Historic Site for many years as a community liaison and tour guide. She loved being able to teach visitors and share her knowledge about the history of the Lorenzo site and of the Cazenovia and Central New York Region.
She was an avid horsewoman and animal lover. She loved and rode horses from a young age. She owned and trained horses throughout her life. Cobra, Happy and Ace became parts of the family. Jeanne and Jim also owned and bred golden retrievers and at one Christmas had 23 puppies at the house. Amber, Sundae, Lacey, Abbey and Autumn and Mr. Barkley (part-time) all lived happy lives in their home.
Jeanne was a volunteer of the Astride Riding program for children with disabilities and instilled the therapeutic effects of riding to her daughter, Jenifer. Jeanne also became involved in carriage driving and was a long-time member of the Cherry Valley Carriage Association, where she served as president from 2003-2005. She loved competing in driving and riding competitions, lots of times with Jim as her “whip” – driving companion. Sal, Debbie, and Judy would often take a ride. But her favorite passengers were her grandchildren, Quinn and Jaelyn. They couldn’t wait to take rides with their Gramie. Jeanne and her horses won many ribbons and prizes but just getting out for a ride or drive was her true passion that she continued until just a few years ago.
Jeanne died the way she lived on her own terms, still guiding your family and friends to be the best we can be. She will always be in the hearts and minds of those that loved you. Thank you for being a great role model, smart mentor and understanding friend. You will always be missed but never forgotten.
Survivors include her husband, of 51 years, James E.; her children, Ian J. (Dot) Fero of Las Vegas and Jenifer J. (Sal) Pratico of Castleton, NY; grandchildren, Quinn Pratico, and Jaelyn Fero and her sister, Susan Sollauer of Las Vegas.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated Saturday, Dec. 15th, at 11 am at St. Ann’s Church, 104 Academy Street, Manlius, NY, and a reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations to be sent to Cancer Connects, Inc., 5008 Brittonfield Pkwy., PO Box 2010, East Syracuse, NY 13057, www.cancerconnects.org/donations or to First Giving, www.firstgiving.com.