Janet L. (Lester) Crossman, aged 92, of Noank passed away on Monday, October 21. She had been the wife of Arnold L. Crossman for more than 61 years. She was predeceased by her sister Ruth.
Her husband Arnold lives in Noank. Her son Robert and his family live in Texas. Her son Edward and his family live in Delaware. The extended family includes five grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
Janet was born in New London to Clair and Myra (Denison) Lester. Her father’s work with Southern New England Telephone saw her growing up in Waterford, on South Rd in Poquonnock Bridge, and New Britain.
She was baptized at the Poquonnock Bridge Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, and served as an advisor to the youth group. While living in Groton she earned Girl Scouts highest rank of First Class. She later took a leadership position in her troop and had fond memories of taking them on a trip to NY going up into the arm of the Statue of Liberty.
After moving to New Britain, she attended and graduated from Teacher’s College of Connecticut. She returned to Groton and taught for 10 years in 3 different elementary schools including Claude Chester, Poqounnock, and Fort Hill. She would proudly tell you that she taught every grade but 5th. She was one of the first Fitch graduates to come back and teach.
Her friends in Poquonnock encouraged her to go to square dance lessons in Ledyard where she met her future husband. They were married in 1963 at the Poquonnock Bridge Baptist church. They moved to Arnold’s family home in Noank where Janet was very active in the church. Janet stopped teaching in the school system with the birth of Robert, but did not stop educating others. She taught Sunday school, went to the American Baptist Pierce Home as a delegate, helped with coaching ministers-in-training, and ran the Kiddy Corner at the annual Christmas Bazaar.
As her children grew up, she supported them as a Cub Scout Den mother, Boy Scout Troop 20 Committee member, and a Pequot District Commissioner.
After Arnold retired, she went back to volunteer at Claude Chester to help kids improve their reading skills.
Janet led a life of helping and educating others. She was also an avid gardener, canning and making jams and jellies from the results. She loved to read mysteries. She knit 222 prayer shawls for the church to distribute to people who needed to know they were loved. She took thousands of slides and photos, stopping many family outings to snap a picture. She loved to watch the birds and volunteered at the Pequotsepos Nature Center.
A service for Janet will be held at the Noank Baptist Church, 18 Cathedral Heights, Noank on Saturday, November 16 at 2:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Noank Baptist Church.