Jean Bylinski

Jean Bylinski, age 95, of Wayne, passed away on Sunday, November 24, 2019.

The youngest of John and Catherine Bezak’s four children, Jean was born and raised in Newark, NJ where she graduated from vocational high school.

After school, Jean’s first job in a pocketbook factory proved to be more noteworthy for who she met there than for the actual job. You see, while working at this factory, she met the man who would ultimately become the love of her life – John Bylinski. John was Jean’s boss but he also happened to be an eligible bachelor. That was all good and well but, initially, Jean wouldn’t even consider accepting a date from him because she thought he had a reputation as a player. In time, she became more and more aware that first impressions are not necessarily accurate and eventually she and John went on their first date together. One date lead to the next and soon they fell in love. Those that knew them would say that they were always holding hands. Then World War II came and John was drafted into the U.S. Army. They kept in touch through constant love letters and, upon his return to civilian life, they married in 1946 and honeymooned in Niagara Falls.

Jean and John’s first home together was in Newark, but after a short time, they moved to Nutley. When God blessed them with three beautiful children – Jean Marie, Thomas and John, Jean concentrated her time on homemaking and being a loving and caring mother.  Eventually, Jean’s own mother, known to all as “Bobci” came to live with them. One day, Bobci told Jean that “We can’t have two women in the house” and she advised Jean to find a job while she stayed home and cared for the kids.

It was common knowledge that a great place to work was Hoffman-La Roche Pharmaceutical Company so that’s where Jean decided to try for a job. The competition for a position in the company was great but Jean’s persistence ultimately paid off. She started as a night shift assembly line worker, then moved to days as a glass washer in the laboratory, and ultimately worked herself up to the position of laboratory technician. She retired in 1984 after enjoying a long and prosperous career.

Retirement ushered in a whole new era of adventure for Jean. She and John moved down the Jersey shore to Barnegat where Jean had plenty of opportunity to play bingo and cards with all her lady friends. With Atlantic City in such close proximity to home, she enjoyed taking many bus trips there with the Seniors Group. She also spent a lot of time crocheting things like blankets for her grandchildren and cute Christmas ornaments for all her family and friends.  

Together, Jean and John got to visit every state in the U.S.A. including Hawaii which she loved the most. Their last trip was a cruise to Alaska and winters were always spent in sunny warm Florida from just after Christmas until Easter. Speaking of the holidays; one of the ways Jean expressed her love for Christmas was by baking lots of polish cookies. The house always smelled wonderful that time of year and the cookies were delicious.

Jean never saw a puzzle she didn’t need to solve. She loved keeping her mind sharp and Amazon loved the revenue they received every time Jean ordered another puzzle book. It seemed like the truck was always pulling up to the house with another delivery. Above all else, Jean loved being gathered together with her children and grandchildren. When her beloved husband John passed away, she remained in Barnegat for a few years until coming to live with her son Thomas and daughter-in-law MaryAnn in Wayne three years ago.

Jean was one of the most pleasant people you could ever meet. Easy going, it seemed that she would always greet you with the warmest of smiles. She encompassed every quality that could be described as virtuous and she will be missed by all who had the pleasure of having her in their life.

Jean was the beloved wife of John Bylinski, blessed in marriage for 59 years until his passing in 2005. She was the loving mother of Jean Marie Bylinski of Elwood, Thomas and wife MaryAnn Bylinski of Wayne, and John and Debbie Bylinski of Lake Panasoffkee, FL; cherished grandmother of Adam, Timothy and wife Michelle, and Cheryl Bylinski and Lauren and husband Anthony Palatucci; and dear aunt of numerous nieces and nephews. She was also predeceased by her two brothers and one sister: Ziggie Bezak, Loretta Grzelak, and Milton Bezak.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial Processing, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959, or online at stjude.org, would be appreciated.