Jane P. (Principe) Jillson Rice, 77, a long-time resident of Richmond and formerly of Danbury, CT. died on Monday, May 1, 2017, at Cheshire Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Keene. She passed peacefully after a brief period of declining health with the love of her family near.
Jane was born the daughter of the late Anna H. (Haefer) and Garrey E. Principe Sr. on August 24, 1939 in Danbury, CT. She was educated in Danbury and graduated from Danbury High School, Class of 1958.
On February 7, 1959 she exchanged vows with Francis J. Jillson at St. Joseph’s Church in Danbury. They were married with family and friends in attendance and were married for thirty-five years until he passed on September 8, 1994. Jane was fortunate to find love once again. Many years later on May 3, 2008 she exchanged vows with Frank O. Rice at St. Stanislaus Church in Winchester. Sadly, he passed on August 15, 2014 after six years of marriage.
Jane worked as an Emergency Medical Technician for the towns of Winchester and Richmond for many years. She served on various boards and committees for the Town of Richmond, giving countless hours of her volunteer time to her community. She drove a school bus to various places in Cheshire County for over 25 years. She worked with special education students at various Monadnock Regional District Schools as well as Thayer High School and Keene Middle School. She was trained as a Certified Nursing Assistant and worked in healthcare, not only in local nursing homes, but also as a hospice volunteer.
Time was spent stitching and doing handy work. She enjoyed time in her gardens, baking and going to the beach in Maine. She traveled throughout the United States and visited Great Britain and Spain. She had a big heart for her community and the less fortunate. Mostly, Jane lived for her kids and grandkids. She was the leader of the pack and made sure that family values and time were available to all. She was a woman of great faith and member of St. Stanislaus / Mary Queen of Peace Church in Winchester. Jane would give freely of her time with the St. Vincent DePaul Society, and was a founding member of the St Vincent DePaul Food Pantry at St. Stanislaus / Mary Queen of Peace Church. She was a former Girl and Boy Scout Leader for many years in Richmond and Swanzey. She volunteered for the American Red Cross and NH Special Olympics. She was also a member of the Monadnock Regional High School Sports Booster Club for many years.
Jane is survived by her children: Michael Jillson and his wife Tracey of Winchester, Elizabeth “Betsy” Pearsall and her husband William of Richmond and Jennifer Hamre of Springfield, MA.; her four grandchildren: Meghann Pearsall, Alan Lowe, Gregory Tasker and Tanner Jillson; her sister Elizabeth McClung of Charlestown, R.I.; her sister-in-law, Rose Principe of Sea Brook Island, S.C. and brother-in-law, Charles Gilbert of Brookfield, CT., as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Jane is pre-deceased by her siblings: Anne Moses, Patricia Gilbert and Garrey E. Principe Jr. Her brothers-in-law, Marshall Moses and Thomas McClung passed earlier.
Calling hours will be held on Sunday, May 21, 2017 from 2 to 4pm. in the funeral chapel of Cheshire Family Funeral Chapel and Crematories, 44 Maple Ave. Keene, NH. 03431. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday June 3, 2017 at 10am. at St. Stanislaus / Mary Queen of Peace Church, Richmond Rd. Rt. 119, Winchester, NH. 03470. Burial will follow at South Cemetery, Athol Road, Richmond. Flowers will gladly be accepted. However, the family would prefer donations be made in memory of Jane P. Jillson Rice to: Richmond Rescue, 17 Winchester Rd. Richmond, NH. 03470 or to: St. Vincent DePaul, C/O, St. Bernard’s Church / Parish of the Holy Spirit, 161 Main St. Keene, NH. 03431. Or to: NH Special Olympics, 650 Elm Street, Manchester, NH 03101
All services are under the care of Cheshire Family Funeral Chapel and Crematories, 44 Maple Ave. Keene, NH. 03431, www.cheshirefamilyfuneralhome.com
