Mary Jane (Beaulieu) Petitpas

Mary “Jane” (Beaulieu) Petitpas, 94, of East Hartford, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at her home with her longtime caregiver, daughter Karen at her side. Jane has now left behind a legacy of adventure, family, laughter and remarkable resilience.

Jane was born in Hartford on May 6, 1932, to the late Dionis and Mary (Maurais) Beaulieu. She graduated from Hartford High School in 1950 and married Roger Petitpas Sr. on September 10, 1952.

Jane was the last surviving member of thirteen children, the final pillar of a large, storied generation. Her life was defined by her devotion to her family, including her six children, five grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter. Though she faced the heartache of being predeceased by her brother Leo who died in the Battle of the Bulge in January 1945, her grandson Tommy LaFontaine and her husband Roger — who passed away just nine days shy of their 50th wedding anniversary — she moved forward with a spirit that inspired everyone around her.

Professionally, Jane began work at sixteen at the Lincoln Dairy in Hartford. She then worked for many years at The Hartford Insurance Company, where in addition to her position in personnel, she volunteered to co-run the Employee Club. This included organizing many trips to “exciting places,” such as Hawaii, Washington D.C. during cherry blossom season, and the New Jersey casinos. These trips were a source of immense joy and connection for the many employees who traveled with her. She retired in 1988.

Her happiest times were spent at her second home on the shores of Lake Champlain in Willsboro, NY, in a log cabin she helped her husband build along with their children. She enjoyed her summers there, surrounded by many friends who were like family.

Jane had a strong faith and raised her six children in the Catholic faith at St. Mary’s Church. In later years she was a communicant at Our Lady of Peace and Blessed Sacrament until Covid.

Jane is survived by her children, Roger Petitpas Jr, Linda Petitpas, Lori Ashner (Don), Lisa LaFontaine, Karen Buczynski (Tom), Jody Reynolds (Matt); and her “other one”, Ann Marie Coppinger; her grandchildren Scott Ashner, Bobby LaFontaine, Rose Drager (Joe), Alex Reynolds, and great-granddaughter Isabel Drager. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews including her godchildren David McAuliffe, Michael Goulet and Edward Tyszka. The family would like to extend their gratitude to her loving and caring neighbors, Teresa and Irene, who visited her often on her porch and brought her comfort and companionship.

Along with her husband and grandson Jane was predeceased by her brothers-in-law Freddy and Yvon, her sister-in-law Mae, and her 12 siblings, Cecile, Diane, Juliette, Bernadette, Beatrice, Gisele, Florence, Alfred, Marshall, Leo, Norman and Joseph.

Jane will be remembered for her sharp wit, laughter, her organizational skills, and her ability to bring people together.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, September 22, 2026, with calling hours from 10 am to 11:30 am at the D’Esopo East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 pm in St. Mary’s Church of North American Martyrs Parish, Main Street/Maplewood Avenue, East Hartford. Burial will be at Hillside Cemetery, (Veteran’s # 4 Section), Hillside Street, East Hartford. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jane’s name may be made to Breakthrough T1D, 200 Vesey Street, 28th Floor, New York, NY 10181. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopoeh.com