JANET HOWELL

HOWELL, Janet "Jan" (Hall) Of Lexington, MA and Falmouth, MA, formerly of Wrentham, MA, died August 18, 2015 at age 75 after a courageous battle against pancreatic cancer. The daughter of Barbara A. (Weeber) and the late Robert A. Hall. She is survived by husband Gerry after 51 years of marriage, by her four children: Kimberlee Howell of Dracut, Seana Goodwin and husband Keith of North Easton, Joshua Howell of Burlington and Julie Jussila and husband Lorne of Woburn and Harwich, and by her two grandsons, Ryan Gilmette and Zachary Goodwin. She leaves a sister Susan Travers of Taunton, Brother Jeffrey Hall of Wrentham, Sister Lori Maribito of Danvers and late brother Robert Hall, Jr, of Norwood. Her mother, Barbara, almost age 102, is still an inspiration to us all. Jan graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and was among the first graduating class for woman with a physical education degree. She taught PE at various public schools and met Gerry in Lexington while teaching there. Jan was always up for a lively conversation and would express her insightful views whenever religion, racial equality, or women's issues were discussed. She had many loves besides her family, namely: girls and women's ice hockey; downhill skiing with her friends on the slopes of Mt. Wachusett; dancing with her friends to rock ?n' roll and blues to the Moonlighters Band on the Cape; compassion and concerns for Falmouth beaches, notably Chapoquoit beach, where she and her many friends took pride in knowing most of the kite boarders who sailed there; and, working with the Lexington schools to encourage diversity in the system. She was a long-time member of Lexington Coalition for Racial Equality and an avid supporter of Rosie's Place. She never lost sight of those less fortunate than herself, cultivated a wide circle of friends and loved them all. Funeral from the Douglass Funeral Home, 51 Worthen Rd., LEXINGTON on Tuesday August 25th at 10 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Brigid Church, Lexington at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Visiting hours at the funeral home on Sunday August 23rd from 4 - 8 pm. In lieu of flowers donations could be made, if so inclined, to her long-time favorite organization: The Southern Poverty Law Center, P.O. Box 5604, Montgomery, AL 36103-5604, dedicated to fighting hate and bigotry and to seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of our society. Interment will be private.

Douglass Funeral Home

Lexington, 781-862-1800

www.douglassfh.com