Jane Ellen (Needham) Morrell

Jane Morrell passed away peacefully while she slept in her home in West Brookfield, MA on October 2 with her husband Timothy Morrell by her side.

She was born Jane Ellen Westling, daughter of Arthur Westling and Phyllis Oberg. After her father’s untimely death at her young age of 7, she was adopted by her mother’s husband, Robert Needham and assumed his last name. She is predeceased by her younger sister Maryann Needham. She leaves a daughter Melissa Morrell, 47 and her significant other, Kevin Blaine, along with her granddaughter Hallie Blaine and grandsons-in law Nathan and Ryan. She also leaves her cousin David Sjosten, his wife Arlene and their family.

Jane’s story begins in Holden, MA where she grew up and attended Wachusett Regional High School. As a young girl, her fondness for horses began from a daily dose of farm life, as her mother owned and operated a ten-stall boarding barn. It was there that she spent countless hours in the barn and discovered a love for riding and more specifically for the Morgan horse breed. When Jane was a young teenager, she entered a contest to name a Thoroughbred racehorse. As luck would have it, she won the contest, assigning the stately name of “Royal Omen” to the horse and consequently was flown to Lexington, Kentucky and Churchill Downs to receive the prize, which was the horse in question. As she had no use for a Thoroughbred racehorse, she sold him and used the money for the horse that she truly wanted and a trailer to transport her with. This mare became one of the most winning individuals in the Morgan world in her time. Bayfield Bonnie Lass was Jane’s heart and soul. She rode her for hours daily and the mare’s stubborn streak taught her everything she needed to know to train and show Morgans. The pair earned countless trophies and ribbons in the Northeast, competing in all of the divisions at shows, including but not limited to, Equitation, English Pleasure, Park Saddle, Western, Jumping and her absolute favorite…. the half-mile trotting race at the National Morgan Horse Show every July in Northampton MA. We’d have to dig out all of her awards to truly know how many times she won that race, but it was several years that she left them in the dust.

Concurrently with horse showing, Jane also attended Colby Junior College for women in New Hampshire and attained an associate’s degree. She earned accolades for being an excellent typist. She then began work at Aetna Insurance. It was at this time that she met the love of her life, Timothy Morrell, also a horseman with a passion for showing Morgan horses. The two dated for a time, enjoying horse shows together and ultimately decided to tie the knot. The date of their nuptials was March 5, 1977, and the wedding took place at Wesley Church in Worcester, MA. They were then the trainers of Stonewall Farm, owned by Sandra Adams for two years and then after being live-in trainers at a farm in Shrewsbury, Crosswind Farm, owned by the Wahlstroms, and training an outstanding group of winning horses, the couple moved on to developing their own business as well as having a daughter, Melissa, on October 4th of 1978.

Their journey took them to the next step of buying a farm with seven acres in Rutland MA that in time would come to house 26 horses and they named it Moreland Farm. They built the farm from the ground up, beginning with the barn and ending with a total renovation and add-on to the house. Jane enjoyed interior decorating and took pride in her choices in each and every room. Their residency in Rutland lasted from 1980 to 1999 and in those years many World Champions, Regional Champions and top riders were manifested by hard work, determination and true talent. Jane was a rider that so many admired and respected, as she had a way with some horses that others had given up on. Several Moreland champions were horses that she believed in when no one else did.

After selling the Rutland farm, Tim and Jane moved onto a much larger project on 150 acres in West Brookfield where Moreland Farm still operates after selling to their daughter Melissa in 2017. From 2002 to 2017 Jane continued to teach students and enjoy her own horses on a daily basis. She also was very active on the Board of the Massachusetts Morgan Horse Association, serving as President and she chaired the Show Committee as Horseshow Chairman for several years. Her involvement with the United Professional Horseman’s Association was extensive, as she served as horse show chairman for at least a dozen years. She enjoyed running horse shows from behind the scenes and was incredibly organized and the way the shows ran smoothly was testament to her scrutiny. Jane was an avid judge and enjoyed traveling across the United States to Morgan shows that hired her for her astute opinion. In 2006, she and Tim were awarded with the prestigious Golden Reins award from The American Morgan Horse Association for outstanding professional contributions to the advancement, development and presentation of the Morgan Horse.

Jane always excelled at party planning. She loved to host large groups and did all the cooking and preparations. Her meals were superbly thought out and delicious. She loved decorating for holidays and especially Christmas time. Until her dying day she would insist that we needed to believe in Santa. Her role in running the business also included all of the bookkeeping and the nail-biting moments of keeping bills paid and bellies full. She always had her ledgers to the penny. She loved her beloved dogs over the years and insisted that mutts were always the best.

Without a doubt, when her granddaughter Hallie was born, she embraced the role of grandmother with happiness and excitement. She took great pride in watching Hallie grow and learn whether it was school subjects or seeing her come along as a rider. Jane’s eyes beamed with pride when she would watch Hallie show her horses at horse shows.

2017 would see a change of address for Tim and Jane to Gordonville PA where they would watch their Amish neighbors trot horses in buggies down the beautiful country roads. Jane loved seeing people enjoying a simpler way of life. They decided ultimately that it was a bit too far from family and came back to West Brookfield and purchased a small farm that their retired horses could enjoy and she would love seeing the abutter’s cows right outside the windows.

Jane may no longer be with us, but she left a mark that will endure for ages. She was a bright light and an inspiration in all her endeavors. She will be remembered for her honesty and determination. Her attributes will continue to be seen in her family members as well as her lessons that she taught and passed along.

Calling Hours for Jane will be held on Friday, October 17, 2025, from 4:00PM to 6:00PM in Varnum Funeral Home, 43 E Main Street, West Brookfield, MA 01585. Burial will be held privately at a later date.

Obituary graciously written and provided by Jane's beloved daughter, Melissa.

Varnum Funeral Home is honored to serve the Morrell family. An online tribute page is available at www.varnumfuneralhome.com.