Jeanne R. Haas

Jeanne R. Haas died peacefully at Brighton Gardens, in Stamford, CT, on July 28, 2025. The family thanks the staff of Brighton Gardens and Constellation Hospice for their compassionate care. Prior to moving to Stamford she had lived in Storrs, CT for over 70 years.

Jeanne was born, on January 8, 1925, in Milwaukee, WI to the late Marjorie (nee Bennett) and Francis B. Reak. Jeanne grew up in Wisconsin and Indiana, where she met and married, her High School sweetheart Vinton B. Haas Jr, during WWII. After Vinton returned from Europe in 1945, they moved to Cambridge, MA where he pursued graduate degrees at M.I.T. They started their family in 1948 and Jeanne was dedicated to raising her four children and creating a loving home. Jeanne always said the birth of her children changed her life and gave it new meaning. The unconditional love and support and pride that she had in her children was apparent to all who knew her.

In 1956, Jeanne and her young family moved to Storrs, CT where Vinton was a professor at the University of Connecticut. Jeanne was an open, accepting, and welcoming person and an active member of the Storrs community. She was a regular communicant and part of the altar guild at St. Thomas Aquinas church. Jeanne was also involved in Girl Scouts as a creative and fun troop leader, a cookie chair, and on the Council level. She was an active member and past president of the UConn League. Jeanne was an actor and appeared regularly in productions of the UConn

League Trouping Theater, performing plays for elementary children. She was an engaged member of PEO, supporting their mission of helping women further their educational goals. Jeanne’s interests were wide and varied. She was a talented knitter, enthusiastic bridge player, avid reader, curious traveler, and keen follower of the UConn women’s basketball team.

Jeanne was predeceased by her brother and his wife, Bennett and Joyce Reak, her son, V. Benjamin Haas, III, and her former husband of 50 years, Vinton. She is survived by her cherished children and their spouses: her daughter and husband, Cathy and David Bean, of New Rochelle, NY; her daughter-in-law, Beverly Haas of Bonita Springs, FL: her son and wife, Douglas and Stephanie Haas, of Durham, NC; and her daughter and husband, Marjorie and Wil Tomlinson of St. Louis, MO. In addition, she leaves behind 10 grandchildren and 16 great-children. Jeanne was a joyful and loving sister, parent, grandparent and great grandparent. She will be greatly missed by all that knew her.

The funeral will be held at St. Catherine of Siena and St. Agnes Church in Riverside, CT at 10:30 am on Thursday July 31, 2025. This will be followed by a private burial.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Jeanne’s name to a cause that will make the world a better place.