Jean Carlsen died peacefully on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at the Hamilton Park Nursing Home in Brooklyn, NY, where she resided for the past several years. She was 102.
Jean was born on October 6, 1918 in Brooklyn and was the daughter of the late Henry and Marie Evenson; she married Einar “John” Carlsen in 1953. Jean first worked at a shoe factory before working for over forty years as a housekeeper for the Cadens, who treated her like family. Mrs. Caden recalls that Jean—who never got her driver’s license—never complained about needing to take three buses to get the Caden house.
Jean had a deep and abiding trust in God, and would tell anyone she could about how God took care of her “literally from the top of her head to the bottom of her feet.” She was a longtime member of the Salvation Army, and was famous for her weekly praise report that “God is magnificent!” She enjoyed the frequent visits from her church friends while in the nursing home.
In addition to her parents and her siblings Helmer “Jack” and Margaret, Jean was predeceased by her husband and her beloved niece, Carol. In addition to Carol’s sons Stephen (and family) and Mark, who considered Jean to be their grandmother, survivors include her sisters-in-law, Helen and Lillian; her nephews Harold, Steven, Wayne, and Gregory, and nieces Lorraine, Karen, Trudy, and Vivian, and their spouses and families; the members of her church; and her dear friend Vera, who deserves special mention—Jean’s family is beyond grateful for the help Vera provided them in caring for her the past few years. Jean’s family would also like to thank the wonderful nurses and staff at Hamilton Park Nursing Home for their care of her and their frequent communication regarding her well-being.
Out of an abundance of caution due to the COVID-19 pandemic, private arrangements are being made. Entombment will be at Green-Wood Cemetery, 500 25th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11232. Donations can be made in Jean’s memory to the Salvation Army, 252 86th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11209