Jean Robertson Finn's Obituary
Jean “Jeannie” (Robertson) Finn passed away peacefully on July 30, 2026, in Mount Dora, Florida, at the age of 99. The second child of James and Lucille Robertson and little sister to James Robertson Jr., she was born on March 19, 1927, in White Plains, New York, and was a devout Catholic throughout her life.
Jean’s 99 years were a life very well lived, surrounded by loving family and cherished friends. She was a popular, excellent student, 2nd in her class at Pleasantville High School, and she inspired younger female family members by attending college at Pembroke College/Brown University. When Jean was in her late teens, her mother Lucy passed away, and she quickly became the woman of the house, caring for her father James for the next forty years.
She met her future husband and Navy veteran, William (Bill) Finn at Brown University. It was the beginning of a
47-year love story. Before their marriage in 1951, Jean worked at NY Telephone in New York City as a supervisor, commuting from Thornwood, New York. They welcomed their first child, William (Bill) Jr., followed by Thomas (Tom) and Nancy (Nan).
Jean and Bill moved to Basking Ridge, New Jersey in1960, where they made lifelong friends and Jean mastered her new career as homemaker, chef, chauffeur, and sports fan, expanding their family with the arrival of Steven (Steve), and Joan. Her father James, (now known by “Baba” per his grandchildren and all their friends) lived with them, along with family dogs Tucker, then Rocky, then Sandy. Many of their children’s friends became honorary sons and daughters.
As Jean juggled caring for the family, she enjoyed playing golf and tennis and she was an avid reader. She was an excellent bridge player (a skill that she mastered and would continue to play expertly until age 98). Jean and Bill hosted dinner parties and family gatherings at holidays, where Jean was known for her beef stroganoff, “bean stuff,” chocolate refrigerator cake and apple pie. She was her own worst critic though, always criticizing her delicious lasagna as either “too dry,” “too soupy,” or “too cheesy.” Jean and Bill (and children without sports obligations) enjoyed vacations in Jamaica, the Bahamas, Nassau and a notable trip to Monaco.
Every summer Jean somehow piled 5 children, her father, the dog, clothes for the summer and coolers into one station wagon and drove 4 hours to Copake, New York, where Jean and Bill had a 2-bedroom lake house built by Bill and family/friends. She manned the fort while Bill worked during the week and commuted up on weekends. Summers were spent water skiing, swimming, fishing and creating unforgettable memories with beloved friends and extended family.
Jean and Bill retired to a golfing community in Sanford, North Carolina, where Bill was able to participate more in playing golf and bridge. More treasured friendships were made; more parties were attended, children were married, grandchildren were born, visits across the country to family in California, New Jersey, Maine, Virginia, and Colorado began, and the family holiday celebrations moved to North Carolina. When Bill passed away in 1998, Jean became even more active and social, traveling to Italy with girlfriends and to Germany, London, Australia, Ireland, Spain, Canada, Montana, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, even Finland and Russia, while maintaining her status as the family matriarch, visiting children and grandchildren throughout the U.S. Her love of golf continued; she won a ladies tournament at age 68.
She moved to retirement community Waterman Village in Mount Dora, Florida at age 91. She always had a gentle, easy ability to make friends wherever she went, and that continued at Waterman. She enjoyed regular dinner dates with her girlfriends; bridge games grew to 5 days a week. She was fiercely independent and lived on her own until age 98, when she moved to assisted living and added Bingo and more friends to her weekly agenda.
Jean had an “up for anything,” easygoing personality. She saw Frank Sinatra at The Paramount in New York City at age 14, snorkeled the Great Barrier Reef at 83, carried her Brown University 70th reunion banner at age 94, and traveled internationally with family in her 90s. She and Bill provided their children with everything they ever needed and the encouragement that they could go anywhere they wanted and be anyone they wanted to be. She was known for her famous “zingers,” which prompted the frequent response, “Touché Jeannie!” She made a lasting impression on all who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her husband Bill and brother Jim. Survivors include sons William “Bill” (Anna), Thomas “Tom” (Kathleen), Steven “Steve” (Beth), daughters Nancy Velez (Patricio) and Joan Adkison (Lee), and grandchildren Christopher “Chris,” Velez, Timothy “Tim” Finn, Mark Velez, Jennifer “Jen” Finn, Megan Finn, Alison “Ali” Finn and Kevin Finn.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to charities that Jean felt strongly about; St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Covenant House.
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