Jeanne Morrissey

Jeanne Morrissey, 73, died peacefully in her sleep at her home in Westminster, Colorado on August 18, 2021 following a long illness.

Born in Denver on November 23, 1947, Jeanne lived and worked in Denver and Steamboat Springs Colorado, New York City, NY and Philadelphia, PA. Jeanne was a Registered Nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and worked as a nurse in a variety of settings including intensive care, emergency department and home health. Until her illness in January of this year, Jeanne worked as a case manager and trainer at St. Joseph Hospital in the SCL Health system. She had returned to part-time work following a brief retirement to support the nursing staff with the demands of Covid19, assisting patients being discharged from the hospital. She also worked for many years at the University of Colorado Medical Center.

Jeanne was also an accomplished actor and portrayed an interesting assortment of characters in both dramatic and comedic roles. She performed with several local community theater groups in the Denver area, with the Steamboat Reparatory Theater in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, in Off Off Broadway theater in New York City and the Williamstown Theater Festival. She had minor roles in movies including John Huston’s “Prizzi’s Honor” (in an opening scene that did not make the final cut!) and “Nightmare Angel” nominated for a director award at Torino. Jeanne always loved the very dramatic roles and complex characters such as the title role in Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen’s “Hedda Gabler” for which she received glowing reviews matching the character: “She is coldly elegant. Her inner fears flash like lightning, and she is terrifying for the danger she puts in the world.”

Along with acting and nursing, Jeanne was also a volunteer tutor for young readers and a volunteer assistant at the Butterfly Pavilion in Broomfield, Colorado. As a young religious missionary, she served briefly in small villages in Mexico. Jeanne was a very caring and giving person and helped many of her family and friends. As a nurse she helped thousands of people over her lifetime. She loved her work.

Jeanne was an avid gardener, planting and growing flowering plants in her backyard and in hanging flower pots. She loved reading and her cats, especially Canyon and Buddy.  Her favorite pastime was reading a challenging book while enjoying a glass of wine and a cigarette with her cats beside her.

Jeanne is survived by her mother Barbara Morrissey of Palo Cedro CA, her sisters Barbara Morrissey of Spokane WA, Kathleen Stillmunkes of Palo Cedro, Carolyn Ii of Spokane, and Louisa Young of Glenwood Springs CO. She is also survived by her brother in law John Walz of Montpelier VT, brother Dan Morrissey of Denver CO, step-sons Phil Aiken of Media, PA, George Aiken of Wilmington, DE, Dan Aiken of Havertown, PA and six step-grandchildren. Jeanne was preceded in death by her father Tom Morrissey, her brother Sean Thomas and her sister Anne Walz.

A private memorial service for family will be scheduled for later this year. Jeanne would like memorial contributions be made directly to the charity or cause of your choosing.