February 6, 2024
Jean Leitz’s mother Ann died several years ago, and for many months, Jean was her 24/7 caregiver after she suffered a stroke. Her mother was an inspiration in Jean’s work at St. Peter Cemetery in Danbury, where as a Footstone Specialist, she takes great pride in making the cemetery look the best it can be for families who have loved ones buried there.
When she was alive, her mother taught Jean the importance of honoring their family plot, which has six graves — with one remaining for Jean.
“I always took pride in our family plot and tried hard to make the area look good,” she says. “I learned that from my mom. She set a wonderful example. She took care of my dad when he was alive … and when he died.”
Jean extends that same care and concern to all the graves in St. Peter’s.
“Working in the cemetery, I can show my love and respect to my mom and my dad Alfred,” she said. “Not everyone is blessed to have visitors. Some [of the deceased] have no one to visit, and I take pride in caring for their individual stones — as if their family members were present. When I make things look nice, that’s me expressing my care for everyone buried there and for their families, even though I might not meet them.”
Jean assists with burials in the field and in the mausoleums, but her specialty is caring for footstones, which can sometimes sink in the ground or get covered with grass and need to be cleaned and lifted.
“I truly enjoy my job and love coming to work every day,” she says. “After a long hard day’s work, I can look out and see the fruits of my labor.”
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