Obituary: Jane Elizabeth Etzel, 74, formerly of Branford

Obituary courtesy of W. S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home:

Jane Elizabeth Etzel, 74, died peacefully at MissionCare in Holyoke, Massachusetts on Friday June 24. She bravely fought cancer during her last year, after overcoming two types of cancer decades before.

Jane was born in September 1947 and grew up in the Pawson Park area of Branford Connecticut, where she enjoyed swimming in Long Island Sound. She graduated from Branford High School, where she served as president of her graduating class. She attended Hood College in Frederick Maryland, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts. She later moved to the Boston area and primarily worked on major advertising projects where she was a well-known, successful free-lance artist (before computers). She appeared on Boston television and newspapers multiple times and taught at Emerson College in Boston. A number of Jane’s paintings are on permanent display at McLean Hospital in Belmont Massachusetts. She enjoyed writing poetry, publishing two booklets: In the Limelight and Some Plum Poems.

She was deeply religious and was a communicant at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Springfield, MA. She supported and greatly enjoyed Catholic TV in Boston. Jane was known for her outstanding generosity to fellow residents over her last years.

Jane was predeceased by her loving parents David P. Etzel, Sr and Anna Eva (Kohler) Etzel of Branford. Jane is survived by her siblings David P. Etzel Jr. (Jan Walzer) of Guilford CT, Bonnie Claire Lyons of Toronto, Canada, Michael J. Etzel (Kathleen) of Mont Vernon, NH, and Alan G. Etzel of Branford CT. She is survived by her maternal aunts Frances Kohler Daly of Meriden and Dorothy Kohler Cummings of East Haven, and by nephews and nieces: Jacqueline Jesser of Ontario Canada, Amy Etzel of Branford, Stephen (Ryan) Etzel Porter of Nashville TN, Rowan Etzel of Brunswick ME, Todd Etzel of Mont Vernon NH, Daniel Etzel of Mont Vernon NH, Colin Etzel of Allston MA, and Kyle Etzel of Nashua NH, and grand-nephew and grand-niece Timothy and Julia Curran of Ontario Canada.

A private service was held at the convenience of the family at St. Agnes Cemetery in Branford. A Celebration of Life will occur later this year for friends and family.

In lieu of flowers, friends are welcome to contribute to either of Jane’s choices: Catholic TV at www.catholictv.org (or P.O. Box 9196 34 Chestnut Street Watertown, MA 02471) or to Catholic Charities USA at www.catholiccharitiesusa.org (or 2050 Ballenger, Ste 400 Alexandria, VA 22214). Please see the online memorial and guestbook at: www.wsclancy.com.