Anita N. Jean

Anita Nancy Jean of Willimantic, Connecticut, passed away on Saturday October 27, 2012 at the age of 78. "Nita" was born on March 18, 1934 in Willimantic where she lived her entire life. She attended St Mary's grade school and delivered newspapers after school. After graduating from Windham High, she worked at Electro Motive Manufacturing Company and later at the Connecticut State Teacher's Retirement Board. Her final position was with Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU) where she worked for over two decades as an accountant. Nita attended night school in Hartford for many years, and successfully reached the position of accountant. Nita travelled extensively and organized trips with friends to Canada, Europe, South America, and within the United States. Her hobbies and pastimes were many: skiing, pottery, photography, wood working, card playing, and wine making. Nita was very active in community affairs as a charter member of the Victorian Neighborhood Association and in Town and Gown to foster better relations between ECSU and town residents. In 2007, Nita was the recipient of the Michael A. Atkind Exceptional Service Award presented to her by the Hall of Fame Committee of ECSU for her exceptional service and loyalty to the intercollegiate athletic program. Nita's deepest love was for her family, her niece Michelle Bisson, and nephews Andre, Sean, and Daniel Jean, and their spouses Nancy, Jennifer, and Lisa, and their children: Autumn Bisson; Zachary, Anthony, and Christina Jean; Sophia, Annalise, Wyatt, Samuel, Charles and Alexander Jean; and Jonathan Turner. Nita had a special relationship with children, posing as Santa at Christmas, taking them to see her team, the Boston Red Sox, and leaving treats on their beds when they came to visit. As she enters into eternal life, she will find her parents Antoinette and Wilfrid Jean and her brothers Raymond and Andre, who predeceased her. Her brother Paul and his wife Anne survive her. The family wishes to pay a special tribute to her niece Michelle who devoted herself selflessly to Nita's care for several years. A special thanks goes to Leanne DuPrat of Companions and Homemakers and the many caregivers and loyal friends who supported Nita throughout her long battle with Alzheimer's disease. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Diocese of Norwich Outreach to Haiti, 199 Broadway, Norwich CT 06360-4407. Her family will receive relatives and friends on Saturday Nov. 3, 2012 between 9:30 and 10:30am at Potter Funeral Home 456 Jackson St. (Rte. 195) Willimantic followed by her 11:00am Funeral Mass at St. Mary Church, Valley St. Willimantic. Interment in St. Joseph Cemetery will be at the convenience of her family. For an online memorial guestbook, please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com .