Jean (Pearlman) Elias, 93, of Newtown, gently passed away on Monday, November 30, at her residence at Maplewood at Newtown in Newtown. She was the beloved wife of Hyman J. Elias, whom she married on Valentine’s Day 1953 and who died on June 27, 2020.

Born on December 11, 1926, in Rochester, N.Y., she was the daughter of the late Max Pearlman and the late Gussie (Pressman) Pearlman.

Jean was raised and educated in Rochester, N.Y. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin and worked for many years as a social worker before she and Hy raised their family.

She stressed the importance of education and culture for her children; appreciated classical music, especially the piano; enjoyed attending the theatre, playing bridge with Hy and friends, knitting, and needlepointing. She loved to entertain and host dinner parties, always trying new recipes or forever modifying familiar ones. Jean never stopped advocating for the importance of writing a good handwritten thank-you note or adhering to proper etiquette, regardless of one’s age.

She enjoyed taking walks, playing tennis and golf throughout her life — with her husband, her children, and with her many good friends – and savored the warmth of winters at her home in Florida.

As the wife of a corporate executive whose promotions meant frequent relocations, she always found it within herself to provide a home filled with warmth, encouragement, and stability, wherever the family moved and regardless of how long they were there. She made every move seem like an adventure: new schools, new friends, and even new ways just to get back home from the store. With each move, Jean rose to the occasion with poise, self-confidence, and aplomb.

Her family was both her anchor and her beacon of light. A perfect day for Jean was simply being in the company of Hy, her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her family will always cherish her sweet smile and innate kindness.

Jean leaves her loving children: Michael E. Elias and his wife, Patrice Elias, of Newtown; Jay M. Elias and his wife, Lori R. Elias, of Warwick Neck, R.I.; and Susan Elias Vester and her husband, John W. Vester III, of Westport. She was the proud grandmother of Lindsay Bell and her husband, Derek Bell, of Newtown; Katie Skrokov and her husband, Joseph Skrokov, of Ridgefield; Justin Elias of Bethel; Thomas Elias and his fiancée, Stephanie Rieger, of Washington, D.C.; Robert Elias and his wife, Gloria Kostidinova Elias, currently of Bulgaria; Hope Elias of Warwick Neck, R.I.; Emma Elias of Warwick Neck, R.I.; William Vester of Westport; and Andrew Vester of Westport. She was the adoring great-grandmother of Emmy Bell and Avery Bell, both of Newtown, and Lily Skrokov, of Ridgefield.

She was the sister of the late Donald Pearlman and the late Lillian (Pearlman) Joffe, and leaves several dear nieces and nephews, her extended family, and many dear friends.

A private graveside service will be held in B’nai Israel Cemetery, Monroe, at which time Jean will be laid to rest alongside her dear late husband, Hy.

As an expression of sympathy and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Jean to either the Maplewood Senior Living Heart Foundation at Maplewood at Newtown, 166 Mount Pleasant Road, Newtown CT 06470, or to a charity of one’s choice.

Jean’s family wishes to thank everyone at Maplewood at Newtown for the kindness, love, patience, and compassion they have extended.

For additional information or to send the family a written expression of sympathy, please visit an online guest book at dyer-lakefuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleborough, Mass.; 508-695-0200.