Jane (Roberts) Pastel

Jane (Roberts) Pastel, 95, died peacefully at her home in Vernon on Wednesday, June 30, 2021. Jane was born in Hartford, CT to the late Douglas J. and Hope E. (Richardson) Roberts. She graduated from the University of Rochester with a B.A. in Sociology and worked for the Division of Child Welfare in Hartford and New London, CT for four years.

Jane was a loving and devoted wife for 68 years to the late Harvey Pastel. Jane will be greatly missed by her four children and their families: Douglas Pastel (Barbara, deceased) of Newton, MA; Hope Pastel (Jeffrey) of North Yorkshire, UK; Ross Pastel (Caroline) of Rockville, MD; and Jean Hammer (Paul) of Vernon, CT; four grandchildren (Renée, Benjamin, Elias, and Abram); three great-grandchildren (Elliot, Sylvia, and Calvin); her younger brother Ross (Roddy) Roberts and many nieces and nephews. Jane was predeceased by her parents and her older brother Douglas J. (Jim) Roberts, Jr.

Jane was a lifelong lover and enthusiast of horses (and dogs, cats, and ducks). She was an avid horsewoman, owned and rode horses. She was involved with the U.S. Pony Club in Glastonbury, CT along with her two daughters and many other young people. She volunteered for many years for the Manchester Hospital Auxiliary and the Lutz Children’s Museum. She was a longstanding member of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church of Manchester, CT where she arranged flowers and sang in the choir. Her other activities included tennis, skiing, Manchester Garden Club and a Gourmet Club. Jane enjoyed traveling in the U.S. with her family and abroad with her husband Harvey.

Many, many thanks and love to the nurses and physical therapists of Vernon Visiting Nurses, Hospice Department and to “A Caring Hand” of Vernon caregivers.  You helped make it possible for her to stay at home!

A memorial service will be held at the Presbyterian Church of Manchester, 394 Lydall Street, Manchester at 1 p.m. on Saturday, August 7, 2021. There will be a private burial at a future date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Glastonbury Pony Club, c/o Nina Shea, 114 Lake Rd, Columbia, CT 06237.

Online tributes can be made at www.holmeswatkins.com   

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