Janice Sayre

Born on May 20, 1935, in Oak Park, Illinois, Jan was the only child of Doris Frost and Walter Scott Gay. She grew up spending summers at her family cottages on Crystal Lake in Gilmanton Iron Works, New Hampshire—a place that remained close to her heart all her life.

Jan graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in 1957, where she was a proud member of Delta Zeta and met the love of her life, John “Jack” Sayre Jr., a Phi Kappa Tau. They were married in Gilmanton Iron Works on July 26, 1958, and shared nearly 67 years of marriage—raising three children and moving across the country and Canada with Jack’s career in the steel industry.

A former elementary school teacher, Jan was a devoted and creative mother, helping her children adjust to new homes and schools with grace and love. She shared with them her many talents: cooking, gardening, sewing, knitting, and art-making.

After settling in Connecticut, Jan focused on her passion for flower gardening, becoming a Lifetime Member of the Manchester Garden Club and a member of the South Windsor Garden Club. She also worked with the Manchester Senior Center, organizing trips and fostering community.

A longtime member of Center Congregational Church, Jan supported Covenant to Care for Children by collecting and distributing essential goods to families. She was active in P.E.O. and mentored women learning English as a second language.

She and Jack traveled widely with Jack’s brother Brant and his wife Louise, exploring dozens of countries on six continents—from Africa to Australia, Russia to Turkey.

Jan is survived by her husband Jack; son Scott Sayre and wife Kris, and their daughter Alice Wetterlund; son Roger Sayre and wife Christy, and their daughter Olive; and daughter Betz White and husband David, and their children Conner and Kestrel.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 18, at Evergreen Crossing, 900 Hemlock Avenue, South Windsor, Connecticut. Jan will be buried at Fair Mount Cemetery in Chatham, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Covenant to Care for Children bit.ly/ctcovenantforcare or Doctors Without Borders give.doctorswithoutborders.org. Messages of condolence may be shared with the family at: www.desopoeh.com

The 'D'Esopo East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford has been entrusted with the care of the funeral arrangements.