Obituary of Jan Richards-Schmidt Jan Susan Richards-Schmidt, of East Killingly passed away at home on April 25, 2018. She was born on April 29, 1952, the youngest daughter of the late James E. and Barbara S. Richards, of Woodstock. After graduating from Woodstock Academy, Jan received a B.A. from the University of Connecticut in English and Secondary Education and a M.A., suma cum laude, in Literature and the Arts from Wesleyan University. Jan also studied at Oxford University in Oxford, England. “Mrs. R-S,” as she was known by her students, taught English, Literature, language arts, AP classes, drama, poetry, and many other courses during her career starting at Babcock Junior High School, Westerly, RI; afterwards, she taught at Cromwell Middle School, Mitchell College, Tourtellotte Memorial High School, Killingly High School, and ended her career at Rockville High School in Vernon. In addition to teaching, Jan volunteered her time by creating and advising poetry and drama clubs, and was a domestic violence counselor. Jan loved to write poetryand was a nature lover, gardener, gourmet cook and baker. During her life she enjoyed hiking, swimming, traveling, reading, music, and entertaining her family and friends. She was a wonderful and fun-loving aunt to her nieces and nephews. Jan will be sadly missed by her husband of forty years, Roland H. Schmidt, her sisters, Cynthia R. Wood, of Webster, Massachusetts, and Barbara R. Eslinger, and her husband, Robert S. Eslinger, of Pomfret, Connecticut; her nieces and their spouses, and her nephews, her father and mother-in-law, John and Elisabeth Schmidt, her brother and sisters-in-law, and many other relatives and friends, including her Labrador, Luna Princess Star. In addition to her parents, Jan was predeceased by her brother, James E. Richards, Jr. A private service is planned. Memorial donations may be made to Hartford HealthCare at Home (Hospice), 34 Ledgebrook Drive, Mansfield Center, CT 06250 or online to the International Rescue Committee (US),www.rescue.org/outcome/education. Share a memory at www.smithandwalkerfh.com
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Jan Richards-Schmidt 1952 2018. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home
Death notice for the town of: Danielson, state: Connecticut