Jan Marie Ryan

Jan Marie Ryan, 60, died Tuesday, February 18, 2020 at her home in Hinsdale, NH. She was born on August 19, 1959 in Springfield, Massachusetts, the daughter of Harold and Shirley Ryan.
Jan went to Cathedral High School in Springfield, Massachusetts, graduating in 1977. She also attended Thompson School of Nursing to become a Licensed Practical Nurse. She nursed people in both Massachusetts and Vermont until she elected to stay at home and raise her three children. Once the children were old enough, Jan went back to work first at PC Connection, then Smiths Medical and finally at Huffington Post. Jan married Rick Lykins on September 30, 2006 in Brattleboro, Vermont, then spent her Honeymoon Christmas shopping for the children.
Jan loved life. In the few days since she passed, she has been described as a spitfire, a firecracker, bubbly and happy spirited. She was all of these. She was warm, giving and loving. She was a champion of her family, a staunch defender of the underdog, a spirited storyteller and she could make anyone who met her feel better about life.
Jan loved decorating her home, cooking, baking, gardening, arts and crafts and sewing. She often called herself Ma Ingalls. She was also a techie, always in the know of the latest electronic gadget. She was a self-described dichotomy. She loved to travel and visited 5 continents, making friends everywhere she went, regardless of the language. Always the Mommy, she befriended countless young people wherever she was giving them a moment of happiness. She hated prejudice against any race, creed or lifestyle and fought against it with a passion.
Jan was predeceased by her father Harold Ryan and her mother Shirley Livermore Ryan.
Jan is survived by her husband Rick of Hinsdale, NH, her daughters Sara Rochford of Keene, NH and Danielle Rochford of Burlington, VT, her son Patrick Rochford of Boulder, CO, her brother Harry Ryan and his wife Kerry of Auburn, CA, nephews Nick, Dan and Tom, and her sister Lynn and her husband Peter of Springfield, NJ.
SERVICES: There will be no funeral services but a Celebration of Jan's Life ceremony will take place from 4:00 - 6:00 PM, Saturday, March 7, 2020 at the Cremation Society of NH in Brattleboro, VT. Family and friends are invited to attend and share their memories of this wonderful woman.
Jan loved flowers so feel free to send flowers to the Celebration of Jan's Life. If you prefer, make a donation in Jan's name to the Girl Scouts of America. Or just come by and tell us your favorite memories of Jan. As Jan would have done in life, you would be welcome either way. If you cannot attend the service and wish to record a memory, please contact daughters Sara or Danielle.