Jane Rose Diaz

Jane Rose Diaz (nAC.e Millette), 59, of Willimantic, CT, died peacefully on March 9, 2015, surrounded by many family and friends at Hartford Hospital in Hartford, CT. Jane was born on December 3, 1955 in Willimantic, CT to Eugene and Jeanette Millette. She graduated from Windham High School in 1973, received her degree as a Licensed Practical Nurse from Windham Technical High School, her Registered Nurse certification from Three Rivers Community College, and a B.S. in Nursing from St. Joseph College in Standish, Maine. Jane was a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing; was awarded a Certificate of Clinical Excellence-Staff Nurse of the Month from the CT Nurses' Association; recipient of the Holley S. Gimpel Award from St. Joseph's College for creativity, excellence and innovation; recipient of the Nightingale Award for Excellence in Nursing; and recognized for advancement to Clinical Level II. Jane also was a certified chair yoga instructor. She was an accomplished and creative potter; enjoyed cooking, dancing, yoga, kayaking, swimming, traveling, quilting, spending time at the ocean; and most of all, spending time with her family and friends. Jane worked as a Registered Nurse for over 35 years at Manchester and Windham Hospitals, with most of that time being at Windham Hospital. Her most recent position was as Cardiac Rehab Coordinator in the Cardiac Rehab Unit at Windham Hospital. Jane loved the patients that she worked with. She also worked in the Greer Wing, Intensive Care Unit, the Recovery Room, the Student Health Center at Windham High School and in various day care centers. Jane is also a U.S. Air Force veteran. Jane was instrumental in the planning of the Go Red For Women Day as part of the American Heart Association's National Wear Red Day Campaign. Using her pottery skills, Jane recreated the national symbol of a red dress into a red dress vase to be used during the event. Jane and her staff facilitated fundraisers such as "Dancing with the Cardiologists" to raise money for the Cardiac Rehab Unit. As part of Jane's healing process after being diagnosed with cancer, she was inspired to create Bountiful Bowls with her fellow potters, to raise funds to provide scholarships for patients to receive healthcare treatments through the Integrative Health Services at Windham Hospital. Jane is survived by her husband, Manuel Diaz; her children, Christopher Diaz and his wife Tania Ochoteco and grandson Lenox of Bronx, New York; Alexandre Diaz and Elena Diaz of Willimantic, CT. She also leaves her parents, Eugene and Jeanette Millette of Willimantic, CT; brother Robert Millette of Hartford, VT; sister Carol Millette and brother-in-law Laurence Druckenbrod of Willimantic, CT; sister Patricia Evans and brother-in-law Donald of Manchester, CT; brother John Millette and sister-in-law Elizabeth of Colchester, CT; and her brother-in-law Miguel Diaz and wife Delia Diaz of TN. She is preceded in death by her sister Donna Millette Fridge, formerly of New London, CT. Jane also leaves nieces Sara Foran and husband Teran Loeppke of Chicago, Illinois; Jennifer Diaz of Stratford, CT; Lisa Diaz of Bridgeport, CT; and nephews Timothy Barr and wife Elizabeth of Chaplin, CT; James Fridge of Gales Ferry, CT; Jesse Millette and partner Holly Thomas of Hartford, VT; and Miguelito Diaz of Bridgeport, CT; in addition to her great nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, and many devoted friends and colleagues. Jane was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend. She will be remembered as a kind, gentle, giving, compassionate and courageous woman. Jane was a devoted member of the community she lived and worked in all of her life. Calling hours will be on Tuesday, March 17, from 5-8:00 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00AM on Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at St. Joseph's Church, 99 Jackson St., Willimantic, CT. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Windham, CT. Assembly will be at church and all are welcome to attend and celebrate Jane's life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Hospitality Homes, P.O. Box 15265, Boston, MA 02215 or Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) Foundation, 4573 South Broad St., Suite 150, Yardville, NJ 08620. The family would like to thank the Dana Farber Cancer Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Windham Hospital (especially Dr. Mark Dailey), and Hartford Hospital for the care that was provided to Jane. Please sign the on-line guest book at www.potterfuneralhome.com