Obituary of Janet M. Hess Crozier

Janet M. Hess Crozier (McDonald), 73 of Old Saybrook, former Acton Public Library Director, passed away at Middlesex Hospice on June 26, 2017. She was born in Boston, Massachusetts on January 27, 1944, daughter of the late John J. and Ruth E. (Loring) McDonald. Jan was employed at the Acton Public Library for over 34 years. She served as director from 1992-2010. She served the Old Saybrook community in various capacities including Youth and Family Services, Old Saybrook Woman's Club, Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce, American Legion Post 113, the Town of Old Saybrook Safety Committee and the Friends of the Acton Public Library. Jan began her library career as assistant to the children's librarian in the Boston Public Library system and then went on to serve as Acton's Children's Librarian, Assistant Director and then Director. In this capacity, she was an instrumental part of creating the statewide Young Adult Division of the Connecticut Library Association. As director, she was part of the building committee that renovated the library from 7,800 square feet to 21,415 square feet in 2003. Jan suffered from the effects of Parkinson's Disease for almost 20 years and never let those challenges define her, instead she continued to live life on her terms including attaining her Master's in Library Science in 2005. Her children Ann Hess Braga and her husband Kevin, and Pamela Listorti and her husband Tom and grandchildren Paul and Matthew Listorti and Alex and Austin Braga survive her. She is also survived by brothers John R. McDonald and his wife Edwina, and Paul J. McDonald and his wife Maura and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Her husband, James R. and sister Ruth A. Murray predeceased her. Visitation will be held Wednesday, June 28, 2017 from 5:00PM to 7:00PM at the Robinson, Wright and Weymer Funeral Home, 34 Main Street in Centerbrook. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, June 29, 2017 at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 14 Prospect Street in Essex at 10:30AM. Jan will be laid to rest next to her husband in Upper Cemetery, North Main Street in Old Saybrook. Memorial contributions in Jan's name may be made to the Old Saybrook Fire Company #1, 310 Main Street, Old Saybrook, CT 06475 or to the Tucker Fund, Acton Public Library, 60 Old Boston Post Road, Old Saybrook, CT 06475. To share a memory of Jan or send a condolence to her family please visit www.rwwfh.com