Jean Serra

Jean M. (Ochs) Serra, age 82, a beloved mother and grandmother, died peacefully with her family by her side on April 24, 2023. A lifelong Dorchester resident, Jean was born to the late Mary L. and Raymond F. Ochs. She graduated from the Jeremiah E. Burke High School and had a long and successful career as a supervisor with Boston Gas Company (now National Grid).

Before marrying, Jean enjoyed many years of travel with her dear friends visiting Hawaii, San Francisco, Las Vegas, and other destinations.

Jean was a proud wife, daughter, sister, sister in-law and niece to several members of the Boston Fire Department (BFD). Her family’s deep BFD ties introduced her to her beloved husband of 49 years, BFD Capt. Anthony “Tony” Serra who predeceased her in 2021. A fiercely independent working professional, Jean was not looking for marriage but was “set up” by her dear friends Joanne and the late BFD Lt. Joe Downing. Shortly thereafter Jean and Tony married and started a long life together in Dorchester.  

In Jean’s retirement years she continued to give back to Dorchester, serving as a crossing guard for St. Gregory’s Elementary School. She was a member St. Brendan’s Church community and the Cedar Grove Association.

Living in her Dorchester home for more than 50 years, Jean developed strong ties with her neighbors who she counted as dear friends. This tight-knit group, one may say led by Jean (and much to the chagrin of her children), were fastidious about monitoring the parking situation on their congested city street – teaching new residents the unwritten rules of respecting “personal” parking spots.

Jean’s family is deeply grateful to her neighbors, particularly her nurse and friend Kerri Foley and Stephanie O’Sullivan, who lovingly kept a watchful eye and supported Jean these past few months.

The role Jean treasured most, was that of “Nana” to her eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins who knew her affectionately as “Nana Nochs.”

Jean is survived by three daughters and one son, Donna Kenney and her husband Patrick of Milton; Jean Marie Serra and her husband David Connolly of Milton; Lisa M. Cabrera and her husband Peter of Milton; and Anthony J. Serra, Jr., and his wife Jillian of Pembroke; eight grandchildren, Patrick Kenney and his wife Lauren of Milton, Matthew Kenney and his wife Kim of Kingston; Ella and Wyatt Cabrera, Caroline and John Connolly, and Anthony J., III, and Avery Serra; two great grandchildren, Ava and Patrick Kenney, III; her sister Geraldine Peterson of E. Bridgewater and brother James Ochs of W. Roxbury; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Visiting hours at the Alfred D. Thomas Funeral Home 326 Granite Ave., Milton Friday morning  9 AM to 11:30 AM.

Funeral Mass at St. Brendan's Church Gallivan Blvd., Dorchester at 12 Noon. Burial at Cedar Grove Cemetery, Dorchester.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Jean’s name can be made to Cops for Kids, PO Box 850956, Braintree, MA 02185, or Shriners Burn Center at Mass. General Hospital, 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114.