Jane Howson

Jane Ann Hanley, age 90, of Easthampton, Massachusetts, formerly of Naugatuck and Prospect Connecticut died peacefully on July 27th at the home of her daughter Christine following a brief illness. She was surrounded by her loving family.
She was born in Naugatuck on October 26, 1921 to Joseph and Georgianna (Englehardt) Hanley.
Mrs. Howson was the widow of Thomas F. Howson Sr. They had been happily married for over 46 years.
Mrs. Howson is also predeceased by her son Thomas F Howson Jr.,3 brothers, William Fleming, Francis Fleming, and John Hanley and 2 sisters Germaine Hanley and Betty Baker and great grand daughter, Jayla Ashley Lavallee.
She is survived by her daughters, Chris Howson Lynch of Easthampton, MA. and Germaine(Gerri) Howson Anderson and her husband Brian of Millinocket, ME., grandchildren, Clint Howson and his wife Tracy of Prospect, CT., Kelley Lukeski and her husband John also of Prospect, CT., Michelle Charette and her husband Gary of Millinocket, ME., Dan Anderson and his wife Amy also of Millinocket, ME., Morgan Lynch and her fiance Jaime Lavallee of Hadley, MA. Thomas Mills and Tammy Thompson and their families of Hagerstown,MD. and great-grandchildren, Zachary and Jacob Howson, Taylor, Nicole and Alyssa Lukeski, Evan and Kacie MaLaughlin, Makayla and Molly Anderson, and Jack Lavallee.
Mrs. Howson is also survived by 4 brothers, Jim Hanley of Naugatuck, CT., Joe Hanley and his wife Alice of Naugatuck, CT., Ray Hanley and his wife Barbara of Southbury,CT., and Bob Hanley and his wife Mary Alice of Newport, RI., sister-in-law Shirley Fleming of Naugatuck, CT., and former daughter-in-laws Mary Mills and Carol Howson.
Jane is also survived by many nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews and their families as well as her very good friend Marge Bell.
Jane graduated from St. Agnes School of nursing in Hartford, Ct. and worked at St.Mary's Hospital in Waterbury for many years. She was a devoted wife and Mother who enjoyed camping with her family including many happy summers at Kettletown State Park in Southbury, CT. She and Tom loved to travel together including their 4 month cross country trip in 1976 in their Tioga camper. Jane was a Den Mother, Brownie and Girl Scout Leader, member of the PTA and a Room Mother.
Jane grew up in a large family of 2 sisters and 7 brothers and the beloved family matriarch, Grammy Hanley, also known as Georgie. There is no measure of the love she felt for her siblings and how much she enjoyed spending time with them and their families. Most recently, Jane enjoyed visits from her brothers when they would come to visit her in Massachusetts and take her out for lunch. Jane was honored with a surprise 90th birthday party last October which was attended by over 100 family members and friends.
Jane would never turn down an offer to go to Popeyes for lunch, for Ice Cream in Oxford or anywhere else for that matter, like Abbotts or Blackies. She always looked forward to her trips to visit her family in Maine and enjoy a fresh Maine lobster dinner prepared by Brian.
Jane was well recognized for her baking skills including her speciality birthday cakes and homemade pies. She excelled in making Christmas cookies which her brothers and grandchildren especially enjoyed.
Jane always kept herself busy cooking, going to ceramics classes where she would bring her beautiful dolls to life. She liked to crochet, sew and embroider. Her favorite past time was gardening. Her backyard could challenge any fine English garden. Did we mention how much she liked flowers?
Jane's family would like to thank everyone for each kind word or each special thought they send her way. We would like to thank the VNA and Hospice of Cooley Dickinson Hospital for their gentle and caring support, her home health aide Kim, and also the staff at Thayercare in Hadley. We would especially like to thank Dr. Paul Baecher, Jane's doctor. He was always respectful, dignified, sometimes humorous but always kind. He would make himself available to take a call, or to see her in his office to avoid a visit to the ER. He and his staff are the best.
Jane and her grand daughter Morgan had developed a special relationship. Morgan learned early in her life that Gram was a caregiver and would do anything for her at any time. Jane was a good mentor because Morgan would do anything at anytime for her Gram. Gram understood Morgans love for horses and enjoyed going to the barn with Morgan to help take care of her horse Paxton, sweep the floors, or even watch Jack which could prove harder than caring for the horses.
Jack loved his Grammy Howso (his name for her) unconditionally. They played, laughed, read, walked, swam, and sometimes even napped together. He would go into her room early each morning to tell her to wake up, her coffee was ready. If she wasn't fast enough, he would even try to pull her out of bed. Just last week, Jack helped the nurse take Grammy Howso's blood pressure. The Physical Therapist would often ask Jack to help to get Grammy Howso to walk, stand or even sit so she could complete her evaluation. She would do anything for Jack.
Everyone will have their special memories of Jane, her brothers, neighbors, friends, her grand children and her great grandchildren and other family members. Jane (and Tom) always opened her heart and her home to people in need. She had that special nack to make you feel welcome, to sit down, relax and have coffee and...
Chris and Gerri will have memories of a Mom who could love you no more or any better. She was everything you could want in a Mom and more. She will be missed terribily. There is no way to express our love and admiration in words. But its okay, she knew we loved her and that she loved us.
Jane will be best rememberd as a remarkable daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, friend and most importantly, a very good person. She enjoyed looking at the clouds and reminded you of the beauty of nature all around us. She was a tough old girl but you won't find anyone nicer.
Memorials may be sent to VNA and Hospice of Cooley Dickinson, 168 Industrial Drive, Northampton, MA, 01060.