Janice Beckwith English

Janice Beckwith English died peacefully in her Vineyard Point home on April 15th at the age of 96. She was born at 80 Broad Street in Guilford, Connecticut on February 19, 1913 to Leon P. and Irma S. Beckwith. She grew up in the town where her father ran a stationary store and was organist and musical director at the Guilford Congregational Church, and also later at the Madison Congregational Church. Prior to marrying John E. English in June of 1938, Janice was the secretary of Hopkins Grammar School in New Haven, Connecticut. She and 'Jack' raised five children and despite her busy life as a homemaker, Janice found time to devote herself to the Episcopal Church and many other volunteer pursuits in her community. Janice was an active member of St Thomas' Church in New Haven where her family lived for 37 years. She served on the Altar Guild for many years and chaired countless committees. She devoted many years to managing the 'Barn Sale' which was the thrift store that the church sponsored. Meanwhile she volunteered weekly for the Visiting Nurses Association, helping with the well child conferences, was a board member of the Connecticut chapter of the Girls Scouts of America and a scoutmaster, read for Recording for the Blind throughout the 1970s and 1980s, and even into her 70s was driving for Meals on Wheels. As a member of the Episcopal Church Women, Janice was the Regional Chairman of the National Cathedral Association from 1972-1981. The National Cathedral Association is a nationwide fellowship of friends of the Washington Cathedral -the Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul. Their membership dues pay for the extension of the work of the Cathedral as a symbol of Christian faith in our nation. Janice later volunteered those same efforts for Christ Church in Guilford when she and her family moved back to her 'hometown' in 1976. Besides her loving husband Jack, Janice leaves five children, eleven grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. Requiem Eucharist will be celebrated Monday, April 20 at 11 AM in the Christ Episcopal Church, 11 Park St., Guilford. Interment in Evergreen Cemetery, New Haven. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Cathedral Association: Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation, Wisconsin and Massachusetts Avenues, NW Washington, D.C. 20016-5098. Arrangements in care of BEECHER & BENNETT, 2300 WHITNEY AVE., HAMDEN.