Jean Krikorian, 54 of Lynnfield, MA passed away peacefully at home on January 22,2022.  She was surrounded by her loving family and faithful companion dog Addie.  She is the daughter of  Nancy Krikorian and the late Sarkis Krikorian.  She is survived by her siblings Lisa Buzzell and her husband Greg, Robert Krikorian and his wife Grace, and Christina Floyd.  She is also survived by her beloved nieces, Georgia and Mia Krikorian, and Alexandria, Isabella, and Olivia Floyd.  Jean also leaves behind her Uncle Robert Hout Sr. and wife Carol, as well as many extended family and friends.  

Jean was a graduate of Wakefield High School, class of 1985.   She went on to receive an AS degree in Medical Assisting in 1987. Jean went on to be a phlebotomist at Lahey Clinic.  She decided to pursue a nursing degree and attended Northern Essex Community College Nursing program.  Unfortunately just before graduation at age 24, Jean battled an illness that left her lungs permanently damaged.  She went on to graduate with her nursing degree in 1994 from NECC.  She did not pursue her nursing career until 2004.  Jean entered an intensive refresher course at Northeastern University with a clinical at Mass General Hospital.  Despite dealing with a major disability, she finally achieved her dream and was hired on as a nurse at MGH.

In 2009, Jean received a lung transplant.  She was never able to fully recover and be on her own.  She continued to live with her mother Nancy, who was always by her side, physically, mentally, and spiritually.  We are so very grateful to all the doctors, nurses, and medical professionals who through the years gave her a second and third chance at life.  Without them we would not have had the last 29 years with Jean.  And most importantly, we would like to acknowledge and thank the anonymous lung donor who gave Jean the ability to have these last 12 years.  Organ donation is such a vital life saving ability that we all have.  

Jean’s family was very important to her.  Her nieces were such a bright light in her life and she took joy in spending time with them and attending their many performances. She was very proud of their accomplishments so far and knows they will continue to soar.  Jean also enjoyed vacations with her family, some of the most memorable being their trips to Disney World.  She was fortunate enough to get in one last trip before the pandemic hit, and she was able to enjoy the new Star Wars ride.  Jean loved all things Star Wars.  

Jean’s whippets were a major part of her life and was very successful with the limited time she had, to compete with and breed them. She handled her own dogs to top honors and her first show dog, Kestrel, became a multi specialty winning show champion.  She and her sister, Lisa, traveled across the country and Canada, to compete in shows, lure coursing and racing events. Jean loved being a part of the whippet community and valued the friends she made over the years. 

Jean was an active member of the Wakefield Lynnfield United Methodist Church where she attended with her mother Nancy.  Jean took comfort in reading multiple bibles and journaling about them.  She also enjoyed daily journaling, keeping in touch with friends and family, and keeping up with current events. 

Jean, we are all thankful for all our memories,  you will be missed so very much by all your family and friends. 

A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held later in the spring.  Details will be shared with friends and family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations in Jean’s name to:

Cleveland Clinic Lung Transplant Program:

https://give.ccf.org/give/187824/#!/donation/checkout?designation=70164

Massachusetts General Hospital Lung Transplant Program:

https://giving.massgeneral.org/donate/?re_fund=024016&donation_designated=Y&donation_designation=Lung%20Transplant%20Program

Wakefield Lynnfield United Methodist Church

273 Vernon Street, Wakefield MA 01880