Jessica H. (Ryan) O’Rourke of Worcester passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 with her four loving daughters at her side. She brought joy to our lives for 72 years and would be the first to tell you that she loved every moment of it.

Jess was the fifth of nine children born to the late William and Jessie (Enman) Ryan. She grew up on Grafton Hill and lived in Worcester her entire life. Jess married James O’Rourke in 1970 and they raised their four daughters together on Vernon Hill. Jess and Jim enjoyed 38 years of marriage before Jim passed away in 2008.

Jess was a graduate of the cosmetology and culinary program at the former David Hale Fanning Trade School in Worcester and started her career as a hairdresser at Rob Roy salon. However, it was when she went to work at Saint Vincent Hospital as a nurse’s aide that she found her true calling as a caregiver. Jess loved her work, and her work loved her back. Patients and coworkers alike were happy to see Jess on the floor, and everyone who she worked with remembered the fun that she brought to the job each day for over 30 years.

After retiring, Jess spent the rest of her life helping to raise her four grandchildren. She took great pride in watching them grow from children into young adults and attending their games, performances, and graduations. Jess adored babies and spoiled her nieces and nephews with affection well into adulthood. In recent years, Jess took special joy in spending time with her great-grandson Carter.

If you had to describe Jess in one word, it would be FUN! Jess had a zeal for life and brought joy to every room she entered. With her persistent silly streak and hearty Irish laugh, Jess was an unmistakable and one of a kind. She loved taking trips to Foxwoods and the beach, and if Barry Manilow played a concert anywhere in New England, you could bet Jess would be there singing along. Jess also loved baking, root beer, the Hallmark Channel, and rooting for the Red Sox. Above all, Jess was passionate about her family. She was the first to arrive and last to leave at every family event, and loved playing cards, spending countless happy Sunday nights at the card table with her parents, siblings, and children.

Jess will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by her four daughters, Ellen O’Rourke and her partner Leo Reitzell of Fitchburg, Pamela Siebenhaar and her husband Gordon of Millbury, Colleen Metallic and her husband Glenn of Worcester, and Beth-Ann O’Rourke of Millbury; four grandchildren, Katelyn Metallic and her fiancé Eric Westerlind, Gordon Siebenhaar II, Justin Siebenhaar, and Hailey Metallic; and her great-grandson, Carter Westerlind.

Jess is also survived by seven of her siblings, Patricia Jette and her husband Ed of Sutton, William Ryan and his wife Eileen of Harwich, Walter Ryan and his wife Diane of Concord, N.H., John Ryan of Worcester, Mary Ryan and her partner Bill Bartkowski of Worcester, Kay McCann and her husband Bob of Worcester, and Susan Palmer and her husband Peter of Boylston; her brother-in-law, Gerald Gouveia; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by her sister Nancy Gouveia in 2017. Jess also leaves behind her lifelong friend and partner-in-crime, Marie Jolly and her partner Barry Astukewicz.

Jess gave generously to many charities throughout her life and had a special place in her heart for children in need. She was a member of St. Stephen’s Parish and the Chester P. Tuttle American Legion Post 279 Auxiliary in Auburn.

Jess, we can’t smile without you! Thank you for the years of laughs, hugs, and happy memories. We love you and will miss you dearly.

Calling hours are Monday, January 25, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester. The funeral Mass will be Tuesday, January 26, at 11 a.m. at St. Stephen’s Church, 357 Grafton St., Worcester. Burial will be in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. Masks and social distancing are required at the funeral home, church and cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to one of Jess’s favorite charities, the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.