Jean L. Houghton

May 7, 1951 - June 19, 2017

Jean Lois Houghton (Nana to her grandchildren) passed away in her sleep in the evening hours of June 19, at her home in New Haven, CT. She was 66 years old. Jean was born in Mineola, NY, on Long Island, on May 7, 1951. Her parents, Donald and Helen (Evensen) Houghton, had three children; Donald Jr., Peter, and Jean, who was the youngest. Jean attended North Shore High School in Glen Head, NY, and graduated with a degree in Physical Education from Ohio University in 1973. She had been currently working for Companions and Homemakers as a care coordinator and treasured the relationships she had with those she was providing care for. That’s what Jean did best, caring for others. In addition to working and spending time with her family, she had been a member of Sweet Adeline’s, Greater Nassau Chorus, an international award-winning a cappella chorus. Jean loved her family and friends deeply and was fiercely loved in return. Voted ‘most kind’ in high school, Jean left all who knew her a legacy of kindness, love, and beauty. Jean leaves behind her two daughters Jessica Smolinski (Joseph), of New Haven, and Leigh Wolpensinger (Charlie) of North Kingstown, Rhode Island, as well as her four grandchildren Leo, Olive, Ben, and Faye whom she adored and who were a constant source of joy for her. Jean’s two brothers and their families, as well as her cousins, will miss her dearly. Jean loved them all very much, and would go to the ends of the earth to make them happy…which she often did. Our hearts ache that she has left this world too soon, but we know that she is finally at peace. She will be greatly missed. A memorial service will take place on Saturday, July 1st, 2017 at the First Presbyterian Church, 704 Whitney Ave., New Haven, CT at 1 pm. A small reception will follow. In Lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the First Presbyterian Church of New Haven, or the National Breast Cancer Foundation in Jean’s name. www.siskbrothers.com