JANICE A. FALKIN

FALKIN, Janice A. Lifelong Teacher Formerly of West Hartford and Boston, passed away peacefully on Friday morning April 29, 2022. Born in Hartford she was the beloved daughter of the late William R. Falkin, Sr. and Teresa Jane Aldridge Falkin. Jan attended the Chaffee School in Windsor and went on to earn a Bachelor's degree from Smith College, a State Teaching Certificate from Central Connecticut College and a Master's of Education from the University of Hartford. Jan had a long career in public education as a teacher in the West Hartford school system for 19 years teaching first at Sedgewick Junior High and later at Braeburn Elementary. She was a favorite teacher known for staying calm when science experiences went awry and she loved to bake over-sized cookies for her students on special occasions. Jan also served as President of the West Hartford Education Association for an unprecedented three consecutive terms. She took her teaching expertise, specializing in mathematics and science instruction, to the Houghton-Mifflin Company in Boston where she spent over 20 years as an Editor for classroom textbooks. Beyond her editing accomplishments she was instrumental in creating and developing a distinctive plan for Kindergarten science programs which resulted in the publication of a definitive teacher's edition with an accompanying materials kit. Her love of learning and books followed her into retirement where she worked part time at Barnes and Noble in Boston. Jan was a lifelong member of Congregation Beth Israel and took great pride in being in the cradle division – one of the youngest members of the growing congregation which was still on Charter Oak Avenue when her family joined. She remained an active and engaged congregant involved in many aspects of CBI life from themed decorating, calling on fellow members who were recovering from illness to challenging the Rabbi to present more thought-provoking sermons. In her faith of Judaism, Jan's memory and her many good deeds and teachings will be a blessing to all those she touched. Jan had a flair for fashion, loved pretty things especially flowers and art, was an avid shopper, relished traveling all over the world with her dear sister Ruth, attending concerts and shows and eating plain M&Ms. Jan was a loving and devoted daughter and sister and a thoughtful friend to many over the years and across the miles. She was predeceased by her brother William Robert Falkin, Jr. and her sister Ruth Elizabeth Falkin and she is survived by her cousins. A Graveside Service was held on Monday May 2, 2022 with Rabbi Michael Pincus officiating at the Fairview Cemetery in West Hartford. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.

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