Obituary: Jean (Perry) Gemmell, 87, of Hamden

From Sisk Brothers Funeral Home

Jean (Perry) Gemmell, 87, of Hamden, died after a short illness. She was born February 10, 1930 to the late Herman and Beatrice (Maxfield) Perry in New Haven. She grew up in West Haven and New Haven.

She graduated West Haven High School and went to work in California in the insurance industry until she returned to CT. Jean loved movies and was a wealth of knowledge on movies of the 30's, 40's and 50's. She enjoyed doing art, especially illustration and looked forward to doing the crossword puzzles every day.

She met and married the love of her life, Ian (Skip) Gemmell and they shared 56 years together during which they traveled the world, including Europe, the Caribbean, New Zealand and the South Pacific.

She worked for Yale University in the Engineering and Applied Science Dept. Jean was active in promoting equality in the work force throughout her life. She helped organize the clerical workers at Yale to form the first union for clerical and secretarial workers at the University.

She enjoyed new challenges and when she decided to leave an unsatisfying job while in Los Angeles she was actually told "You will never work in this town again!" found employment the same day as she returned home. She and Skip have two daughters, Sandy (Gemmell) Malia (George) of Goshen, CT., Laurie Gemmell (Merrie Petit) of Houston, TX, 3 grandchildren Katherine Malia, Matthew Malia, Lauren Malia-Eterginio and great grandchildren Mason, Cadence and Loghan.

Funeral services were held in Sisk Brothers Funeral Home 3105 Whitney Ave. Hamden with burial in Mt. Carmel Burial Ground. In lieu of flowers contributions to St. Jude's Children's Hospital 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

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