Mrs. Littlefield was born January 15 1921 in New London, the daughter of John and Helen (Clark) Speirs.
Janet graduated from Morgan High School in Clinton and went on to University of Connecticut where she graduated with a BS degree in physical education in 1942. She continued her education at Boston University where she earned a MS degree in social work in 1948.
She joined the Women’s Army Corps in 1943 and served in Algeria and Italy where she headed the women’s motor pool until her discharge in 1945.
She started her career in corrections in 1948 at the Connecticut State Farm for Women as a parole officer,was promoted to Superintendent in 1960and became the first woman to serve as Connecticut’s Deputy Commissioner of Corrections in 1969. a position she held until her retirement in1977. In 1994 the state named its new facility in Niantic the Janet S. York Correctional Institution.
Mrs. Littlefield is survived by her daughter Ann York and her son Allan (wife Jacqueline) York all of North Carolina. She is predeceased by her husband Clyde Littlefield, sister Ann Speirs Traver, and brother John Speirs Jr. She also leaves stepson James (wife Georgia Lee) Littlefield of Niantic, stepson David Littlefield and companion Elene Desillier of Old Lyme. In addition she leaves 3 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren,she also leaves her long time friend and cousin DONNA Speirs and Carolyn Wakeman and her large and loving family of nieces, nephews, cousins and caregivers.
Mrs. Littlefield was involved in numerous professional organizations and volunteered for many charitable activities. A detailed listing can be found on Fulton-Theroux Funeral website. Mrs. Littlefield was a avid gardener, golfer and serious bridge player being a lifetime member of the Old Lyme Country Club.
She grew up boating and continued this activity throughout her life, making numerous trips to Florida and the south on her boat the Defiant.
She continued boating late into her 90’s with family and friends.
A memorial service will be held on September 28 at 1:00 at the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme.
Fulton-Theroux Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to East Lyme or Old Lyme Historical Society or books or clothing to the York Prison by calling the Wardens office at 860 451-3211.
Deputy Commissioner Janet Speirs York (Mrs. Clyde Littlefield)
Connecticut Department of Correction
Born: New London, CT 1/15/21
Home: Old Lyme, CT, Lieutenant River Lane, RR #4
Married: Clyde B. Littlefield, 4/29/1965
Children: Ann York, 2/11/49, New London, CT
Allan York, 9/22/50, New London, CT
James N. Littlefield, 11/26/44
David Littlefield, 12/26/50
Education: Old Lyme and New London County Grammar and High
Schools, Graduate Morgan School, Clinton
University of Connecticut - Bachelor's Degree, 1938-41
Boston University, School of Social Work, Master's
Degree, 1946-48, (Social Work - Psychiatric
Employment: 1942-45 S/Sargent, Women's Army Corp. European Theater, Algiers, North African and Caserta, Italy
1945-46 Secretary, Saybrook Yacht Yard, Saybrook, CT
1947 Summer Case Worker, State Mental Hospital, Howard, R.I.
1948-56 Parole Officer, CT State Farm for Women,
Niantic, CT
1956-57 Senior Parole Office,r CT State Farm for Women, Niantic, CT
1957-60 Assistant Supt., CT State Farm and Prison for Women, Niantic, CT
1960-68 Superintendant, CT State Farm and Prison for Women, Niantic, CT
1968-75 Deputy Commissioner, Women's Services, CT Dept. of Correction
1975-76 Deputy Commissioner, Field Services, CT Dept. of Correction
Professional Associations and Activities:
Connecticut Probation and Parole Association - Secretary 1955-56; Vice President, 1957; President, 1958-59, Executive Committee, 1959-60; Program Committee, 1960-61
New England Conference on Crime and Delinquency, 1948 - present: Executive Committee, 1957-59; Workshop Leader, The Woman Offender, 1957
National Association of Social Workers, member, 1948-present;
Nominating Committee, 1959-61; Commission on Personnel
Standards and Practices, 1960
American Correctional Association, 1955-present; Board of
Directors; 1963-1968, 1972-73
Womens' Correctional Association, Present, 1965-66, Vice
President and Program Chairman, 1963
White House Conference on Parole - 1956
National Conference on Crime and Delinquency, 1955, 1956,
1958; Professional Council , 1964-1971
Eastern Connecticut Public Welfare Association, Secretary, 1956
Field Supervisor, University of Connecticut, School of Social Work,
1959-60
Connecticut Conference of Social Work, Member 1950-70; Program
Committee, 1957; Workshop Leader, "Casework in Probation and
Parole," 1957; Sub-Div. Planning Committee, 1968; Board of Directors, 1967-68.
New England Correctional Administrators Conference, 1964-1969,
Sec., 1968
Governor's Council on Youth, board of Directors, 1967-68
Ad Hoc Committee, ACA for Executive Director, 1973; Nominating
Committee, 1973
Maverick Corp. - Board of Directors, 1976
Hartford Coalition Criminal Justice, Board of Directors, 1976
Publications: American Journal of Corrections - Jan.Feb. 1966
"Group Therapy in One Women's Correctional Institution,:
Bennett & York
Additional:
Examiner - New York City Civil Service, 1973-1975
Wisconsin State Personnel Department, 1974-1975
Connecticut State Personnel Department, 1977
Consultant - ASA - State of Louisiana Institutions, 1970
Adjunct Professor, University of New Haven, Fall Semester 1977
Consultant - Committee on Accreditation for Corrections, 1977-1985
East Lyme, Old Lyme Historical Societies
Meals on Wheels
Duck River Cemetery Association
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