Jean M. Sudell

Jean Marie (Carey) Sudell, 95, the matriarch of her family, passed away peacefully on December 12, 2020, at St. Martha Villa in Downingtown, PA.  

Jean was born in East Falls in 1925 to Leo and Sophie (Rieger) Carey.  She was followed eight years later by her beloved sister, Mary Jane Geiss, with whom she remained close throughout their entire lives.

When Jean was fourteen, she met the love of her life, William B. Sudell Jr. (Bill), who was only two days older.  Although she dated others, she told her children that as soon as she met Bill, she knew he was The One.

Jean attended Germantown High School, but took a break during World War II to work at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, a job of which she was very proud.  She eventually graduated from Germantown’s night school as class valedictorian.  Meanwhile, Bill served in the Navy in the South Pacific.  When he returned to the U.S., they married, on May 21, 1946.  They had five children:  Bill (Vicki), Kathy Hondros, Denise, Mark, and Jean Musumeci (Harry).  In 1959, the family moved to a row house on Disston Street in Philadelphia’s Mayfair neighborhood, where Jean lived for almost 60 years.

Bill died suddenly in March 1969 at age 43, leaving Jean with three children still at home – the youngest only five years old.  When the youngest was old enough, Jean went back to work for the first time in nearly three decades.  In 1991, she retired from a support staff job at the Facilities Planning department at the University of Pennsylvania.

Jean loved the beach, Frank Sinatra, Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals, and her family.  She was predeceased by her parents and sister.  In addition to her children, their spouses, and many nieces and nephews, she leaves her brother-in-law, Albert Geiss, and eight grandchildren:  William V., Mark A. (Kristina), and Michael Sudell; Paul Hondros; Kristy Hondros (Bill Fick); Kathy (Hondros) Barton (James); and Carey and Jake Musumeci.  She also leaves five great-grandchildren:  Maxwell, Liv, and William George Barton; Josie A. Fick; and Connor Sudell.   

Because of COVID-19 restrictions, Jean’s funeral Mass and interment will be private.  In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions in her memory to Depaul USA Philadelphia, 5725 Sprague St., Phila., PA 19138, attn: Sandra Guillory..


John F. Fluehr & Sons, Inc.

Funeral Home Serving Families Since 1898

3301 Cottman Avenue
Philadelphia PA 19149

215-624-5150
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