Jessie Marie LaForgia was born in Manhattan in 1924 and attended Washington Irving High School. Her father, a carpenter, moved the LaForgias to Astoria, Queens around 1940. Her sisters Phyllis, Esther, Mary, Teresa & Rita as well as her brothers Harry & Nicholas all grew up with Jessie. She married Bob Merwin of East Elmhurst and subsequently had her only child, Joseph-Michael Merwin, who survives her. Her husband Bob died young but Jessie was able to earn a living and raise Joe. She often mentioned that her support from the neighborhood kids, their parents and her friends got her through many tough times. She loved 83rd Street and Eliot Avenue and will always consider it her home. Besides the Middle Village neighborhood, Jessie made many friends at her winter home in Florida, The Island Club in Pompano Beach. She would often prattle on about how lucky she was to have such good friends in both her neighborhoods. Jessie Merwin was always a glass half full person who looked at the bright side of life. She is survived by her son Joseph-Michael Merwin, as well as cousins, nieces and nephews who loved her dearly.