The final chapter in the life story of Jean V. (Dee) Panetta was written in the late evening hours of Saturday, March 27, 2021. Jean passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home, at the age of 67, after a brave eight and a half year battle with cancer, surrounded by her loving family. Jean's story is of a life well lived without compromise, full of family, hard work, excitement, adventure, tragedy, and fierce passion for life. Her story will remain in the memories of the many family, relatives, and friends whom she loved so dearly. Those memories are of an incredible woman who set a living example of strength, courage, hope, love, and loyalty for anyone to follow. Jean was born in Concord, MA, on January 12, 1954, as the daughter of the late Leo and Margery (Heyliger) Dee. She was a 1972 graduate of Concord Carlisle High School. At a young age, she began her family with her late husband of 23 years, Sal Panetta Jr. They raised two children and established residences, businesses, and life in Acton and Boxborough. Jean lived in Boxborough with her beloved boyfriend, David Hansen, for the last 23 years. She was blessed with five grandchildren, to whom she dedicated so much time and attention. She was also blessed with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends that were a regular part of her life. Jean was also an accomplished businesswoman and entrepreneur. She co-founded Sal's Auto Repair in Acton in 1976, a successful, lasting business currently operated by her son Salvatore since 2000. Jean was deeply involved in the day-to-day operation of the family businesses. Jean's ultimate happy place was on Nauset Beach, where she ventured most summer weekends for five decades. Many of Jean's favorite and most revered friendships were made there. She was a perennial member of the Mass Beach Buggy Association and invested time and energy in promoting beach conservation and preserving the right to overland beach access. She is survived by her boyfriend, David Hansen of Boxborough, her daughter, Kimberly Amaral and her husband John of Boxborough, her son Salvatore Panetta and his girlfriend Darlene Durkin of Boxborough, her grandchildren, Jack, Olivia, Tyler, Salvatore and Anthony, one brother, Leonard Dee and his wife Patricia of Westford, as well as many, many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She is predeceased by her husband, Salvatore Panetta Jr., and brothers George "Butch" and David Dee. Family and friends are invited to gather for visiting hours on Wednesday, March 31st from 5 to 8 pm in the Dee Funeral Home, 27 Bedford Street, Concord Center. She will be laid to rest during a private burial service at South Cemetery in Boxborough. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory, to support cancer research and patient care, may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute , P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center Arrangements are under the care of Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord.