Jan L. Reynolds

Jan Lighthill Reynolds, 78, died peacefully Feb. 14, 2009, at Mansfield Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation. She was born May 8, 1930, in Gary, Ind., the daughter of Grace (Pyron) and Sydney Lighthill. Jan graduated from Lew Wallace High School and received her bachelor's degree in English literature from Wellesley College. She married Richard R. Reynolds June 10, 1952. The couple have three children and five grandchildren, all of whom she adored. They lived in Michigan, Texas and New York before settling in Elkhart, Ind., where they lived for 12 years while Dick practiced law. Their next move brought them to Storrs, where Dick taught English at the University of Connecticut for many years. She was known to family and friends for her thriving and beautiful gardens, her keen appetite for reading - she often read more than 200 books a year and her killer instinct at the Scrabble board. Jan marveled at nature and regularly fed and watched birds in her yard. She was a strong supporter of the Mansfield library, collecting and organizing books for the annual sale. Jan had the knack for making others feel welcome, regardless of their age or difference in background; she was genuinely interested in others and wanted them to be comfortable. She was a warm and capable hostess who made her guests at home and always treated visitors with kindness. She started playing the piano as a child, and got great pleasure from it all her life. Her family fondly recalls singing Christmas carols together as she played; all were nurtured by her love of music. She loved Mozart, Bach, Scarlatti, Schumann and Brahms and played them in small ensembles with friends and by herself. Jan and Dick traveled together to England, France, and Italy, the American West and other destinations, enjoying history, art, music and theater. Visits to her English relatives were especially precious, as were times when they came to Storrs. She is survived by her husband, Dick; a daughter, Sarah, and her partner, Maureen Rubano, of Union, Me.; two sons, Peter and his wife, Janet, of Canton, and David and his wife, Kaja, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; five grandchildren, Rachel, Gerrit, Sam, Emma and Sage; a brother, David Lighthill, and his wife, Millie, of Columbus, Ohio; a brother-in-law, Hanson Reynolds, and his wife, Sharon, of Boston; six nieces and four nephews; and many cousins. She was also blessed with many friends. Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mansfield Public Library, 54 Warrenville Road, Mansfield, CT 06250. Potter Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. For online memorial guestbook please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com