Obituary of Jane Guilford Harper

CHESHIRE- Jane Guilford Harper, 99, passed away Friday August 11, 2017 at ElimPark Health Care Center surrounded by her four loving daughters. Jane was born in Cheshire on January 25, 1918, daughter of the late Irving and Emma (Fitch) Guilford.

She graduated from Hill House High School in New Haven, attended Stoneleigh Junior College and graduated from Perry Normal School in Massachusetts. On September 14,1942 she married Wesley White Harper and they had 64 years together until his death in 2006.

Jane taught at Cheshire Nursery School for thirteen years. She volunteered as an American Red Cross Driver, in the gift shop of Gaylord Hospital, was a member of Friends of the Library, D.A.R (Lady Fenwick), Cheshire Historical Society, St.Peter’s E.C.W and Altar Guild, and C.A.R.E. She continued her volunteer work at Elim Park Place after moving there in 2002. Jane was a strong believer in volunteer work and found it very rewarding. Jane loved her church and at the time of her death was the longest tenured member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church. Throughout her life she enjoyed playing bridge with friends, swimming, tennis, golf, cross country skiing, singing reading and vacations at the shore. Most importantly she loved her family.

Jane is survived by four daughters, Betsy Harper and her husband Jeffrey Sparks of Cambridge, VT, Sandra Harper of Manchester, Jo-Ann Harper Finn of Wareham, MA, and Deborah Harper and her husband William Dixon of Wareham, MA; five grandchildren, Andrea, Joshua, Megan, Emily, and Dante; and five great grandchildren, Sofie, Weslie, Hollister, Jessica, and Sawyer, many nieces and nephews and sisters-inlaw Sarah Guilford and Doris Harper. Jane was predeceased by her loving husband, Wesley, and four brothers I. Fitch, Burton, Philip, and Irving Guilford.

A service for Jane will be held 11 A.M, Saturday, August 19, 2017 at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 59 Main Street, Cheshire. Family and friends are asked to meet directly at church. Burial will follow in St. Peter’s Cemetery, and there are no calling hours. The Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Cheshire, 615 South Main St, 06410 is assisting the family with the arrangements. Donations in Jane’s name may be made to St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 59 Main Street, Cheshire, 06410, or to Elim Park Benevolent Fund, 150 Cook Hill Road, Cheshire, 06410.