Jannette Boynton Harris Crespo, (Jann), an extraordinary woman, devoted wife, mother, artist and friend, passed away on September 16, 2024, surrounded and supported by her loving family. She was born in Washington, D.C., the daughter of J. Robert and Kathryn (Boynton) Harris. She grew up in Bethesda, Maryland, where she graduated from Bethesda Chevy Chase High School. Jann earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Salem State University, in Salem, Massachusetts.
Jann’s life was a tapestry of family, love, art, friends and community. She was pursuing her love of art when she met her beloved husband Rafael Crespo, in an art history class at George Washington University. They married in 1963 and remained happily married for over 61 years, celebrating their 60th with a replica of their wedding cake and surrounded by family.
They had a rich life together, living in a variety of places, including Berlin, Germany (where Ana was born), Madrid, Spain, San Jose, California (where Carlos was born), and settling in Puerto Rico (where Fafi was born). They then moved to Marblehead and later Salem, Massachusetts where they now live near their three children.
Jann’s calling as an artist was evident to all who knew her. For nearly all her adult life she pursued painting and sculpture, drawing inspiration from the landscapes she loved and the flowers she cultivated. She was an active member of the Marblehead Arts Association and of the Asociacion de Acuarelistas de Puerto Rico.
She also was an inspired gardener. While living in Puerto Rico she converted a family farm in the mountains of Naranjito into a working tropical flower farm known as Allamanda Farms, where she grew Heliconias and Birds of Paradise. These flowers graced entryways in San Juan hotels and restaurants and decorated Ana’s wedding, which was held at the farm.
Jann loved her friends and enjoyed a rich social life with them. They were a significant part of her life, from neighborhood walks, book clubs, the Tertulia, and to activities at Hamilton Hall and the Salem Athenaeum.
Most of all, Jann loved her family, and they loved her dearly. She was a devoted wife and mother who brought out the best in her husband and children. She genuinely always saw the best in everyone, and knew exactly what to say to help others feel better. Jann adored her grandchildren, Lillian and Rafael Santomenna, and took a keen interest in their lives, there for birthdays, sports, graduations, holidays, and everything in between.
Jann is survived by her husband Rafael, her daughter Ana and husband David (Santomenna), sons Carlos Crespo and Rafael (Fafi) Crespo, her grandchildren Lillian (Lily) Santomenna and Rafael (Rafi) Santomenna, her siblings Susan Harris McHugh, J Robert Harris III and his wife Barbara, Richard Harris and his wife Rebecca, and her many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Committal service will be private, and a remembrance of her life will be held at a future date.
For those wishing to make memorial contributions to celebrate Jann’s life, please consider donations to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation at pulmonaryfibrosis.org