Jean Roxanna (Seeley) Richards
July 8, 1936 – August 14, 2015
Jean Roxanna Seeley Richards born July 8, 1936 in Mt Vernon, NY to Lee and Lillian Seeley died peacefully August 14, 2015 in Leesburg, FL after a short illness. She grew up in Short Beach, CT and graduated from Bay Path College in 1956. Jean married Robert (Bob) Richards on September 15, 1956 in Branford, CT, who predeceased her in 2011. They were married for 55 years. She worked at Yale University before she and Bob moved to Denver, CO and then to Syracuse, NY where she held many administrative positions throughout the Liverpool, NY school district. Following her passion she opened “The Yarncrafters”, an independent yarn and crafts store she operated for over 10 years where she taught knitting, crochet and cross stitch. Upon their retirement, Bob and Jean first wintered in the panhandle of Florida then became full-time residents in Leesburg, FL after 42 years in Liverpool, NY.
Jean is survived by sons, Lee Richards of Camillus, NY and Jon Richards of Santa Rosa, CA; grandchildren, Mathew Richards of Baldwinsville, NY and Sarah Richards of Alfred, NY.
Her passions were writing, knitting for friends and family and juggling multiple cross stitch and genealogy research projects all while reading 2-3 books a week. Contrary to the stereotype of her generation she loved her computers, technology and the latest gadget to read books, email and access Facebook and connect with all her friends and family. Special to her heart were not only her children and grandchildren, but the many kids and adults she adopted along the way and loved in her own unique way. Jean had a gift of connecting with people of all ages and had a way of making each one feel special.
Jean loved to cook for others with many signature comfort food dishes ready for anyone who visited or when she visited her close or extended family. Jean was always quick to laugh and after raising two rambunctious boys; nothing was off limits. “Her favorite quote is “Laugh and the world laughs with you, weep and you weep alone” – Ela Wheeler Wilcox. Before passing peacefully she said, “I had a good life!” And a good life she did live!
Donation in Jeans memory may be made to Lake EMS, 2761 Old Hwy, 441 Mt Dora, FL 32757.
Date of Death: August 14, 2015
Published in Syracuse Post Standard from September 22 to September 24, 2015
[Great-great-great-granddaughter of SGS # 3184 – Jean Roxanna; Lee Stevens; Frank Guy; George Simeon; Charles; William (# 3184); John (# 1390);Obadiah; Obadiah; Obadiah; Obadiah; Obadiah]