Saturday, December 2, 2023
Jan was a woman of competence and character-and of course, a bit of “a character!” I’ll never forget her interviewing me for The Newtown Bee’s section on new Newtowners in 1998, when Anne and I moved back to New England from California to serve at Walnut Hill Community Church in Bethel, buying a house in Newtown. We hit it off right away, my evidently being one of the first men in a long time who hugged her:) How could I resist? It was the beginning of a great friendship and later a brother/sister-in-Christ relationship (with John 11:25-26 giving me the most joy, knowing I’ll see my dear friend again!). I was humbled and honored to meet Gov. M.J. Rell through Jan and later to usher her dear dad Stan Gurski to his eternal home.
Anne, Amanda, Ashley and I will always cherish the memories of our years of joining Jan at her house in Brookfield each Christmas for a time of viewing her amazing Christmas village followed by fellowship and fun over cookies and other seasonal delights. She was a gift from God to us (James 1:17)!
I know those who love Jan will miss Jan. I know we grieve “with hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13), yet we still grieve. With this in mind, I am keeping y’all in my prayers for comfort through God’s permanent presence during Jan’s temporary absence.
Yours and His,
Rev. Dr. Jim Solomon
Baton Rouge, LA
