Jeanne Mero Privett

Jeanne was predeceased by her brothers Harold Mero and Robert Mero; hersisters, Edna Keith, Marjorie Porter, Sybil Bulloch, and GertrudeGompf; her loving husband of 66 years, Henry Lee Privett Jr.; her son,Russell Lee Privett Sr., and her great-grandson, Noah Lee Robinson.

She is survived by a son, H. Vaughan Privett of Norfolk; and adaughter, Linda Privett Robinson and husband, James Robinson, ofChesapeake. She is also survived by eight grandchildren: MelissaMcCormick and husband, John, of Norfolk; Russell Lee Privett Jr. andwife, Anne, of Durham, N.C.; Barry Privett of Norfolk; LeeAnn Privettof Hickory, N.C.; Shari Robinson of Chesapeake; Elizabeth Culpepper andhusband, Wayne, of Portsmouth; Adam Robinson and wife, Ashley, ofPortsmouth, and Kevin Robinson of Durham, N.C.; eightgreat-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Jeanne was born and raised on the water in Portsmouth, which sparkedher passion for fishing, boating and beach activities in later life.She graduated Woodrow Wilson High School and entered Parrish MemorialHospital School of Nursing. After receiving her R.N., she went on toteach the first class at Maryview Hospital School of Nursing andcoached their basketball team. She soon married and left nursing for ashort period of time to raise her family. Jeanne then re-enterednursing as the only night R.N. on the maternity floor at PortsmouthGeneral Hospital, where she worked for 25 years.

She and her husband retired to Hatteras Island with their son, Russell,and his family, where she was able to indulge in her passion for beachlife. She spent countless hours fishing and people-watching on thebeach in Salvo. She became a local icon, and everyone looked forJeanne’s beach buggy to ask her for fishing advice. She was an activemember of the NCBBA and the Women’s Auxiliary of the Salvo VolunteerFire Department. She was also a volunteer for the National WildlifeRefuge Turtle Patrol. Jeanne and her husband returned to the Portsmoutharea in 2006 where they spent their remaining years with family.

The family would like to thank the staff of Senior Corps, with aspecial thanks to Crystal, Amy, and Beverly, for their care andcompassion through very difficult times.

There will be a visitation from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, March 28, atFoster Funeral Home in Portsmouth and a celebration of her life onTuesday, March 29, at 11 a.m. at Foster Funeral Home. Burial willfollow in Oak Grove Cemetery.