Jane M. Underhill MacLellan, age 87, of Brookfield and formerly of Southbury passed away peacefully at home on February 9. She was the loving mother of four, grandmother of six, and great grandmother of five. Jane had one son, George III, and one sister, Joyce Thomas, who predeceased her. She is survived by her three remaining children, Sharon, Gail, and Wesley.
Jane lived a life of strength, grit, and selflessness, even in the face of hardship. As Jane once wrote, “I have a sturdy courage to endure.” She embodied this courage her entire life.
Born in Waterbury, Jane had four children with her first husband George Underhill, whom she married in 1950 and loved dearly. Jane and George mortgaged their house to purchase an ownership share at a Mercedes Benz “Auto Haus” dealership in Danbury, where George worked. However, George passed away in 1965, and Jane now had to raise her four children—including an 18-month-old—by herself. In the 1960s, Jane handled the struggles of being a single mother with grace and determination. Though a single parent, she wouldn’t hesitate to fight for her children.
Upon George’s death, Jane insisted that she take an active management role in the dealership. In the male dominated automotive industry of the 1960s, Jane was not afraid to assert herself and show that women are just as capable as men.
Jane was lucky to meet the second love of her life, Robert (Bob) MacLellan, in 1977. They married in 1980, and Jane later retired from the dealership. Bob brought out Jane’s adventurous side. She got into boating and traveling (and even obtained a lifetime sportsman’s license). Jane and Bob built a beautiful log cabin in Southbury where they lived together for over 25 years and spent numerous epic Thanksgivings that her family will remember forever. She also spent many enjoyable summers with Bob in Bass River, Nova Scotia. Bob passed away in 2017.
Jane was an incredible mother and grandmother, and she was quick to share how proud she was of her family. She loved being a mother. And her grandchildren will never forget making cookies with her, especially every year during the holidays.
Jane was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star (Pomperaug #88 chapter), as well as the Daughters of the Nile (Aisha Temple No. 83) which fundraises for Shriners children’s hospitals.
Jane and her family would like to express their gratitude for the loving care provided to Jane by her six caregivers who helped her during her final months.
A celebration of Jane’s extraordinary life will be Saturday, February 15, 2020 at Munson-Lovetere Funeral Home, 2 School St., Woodbury from 1:00-2:00 PM with a funeral service beginning at 2:00 P.M. Friends and family are invited to Evergreen Inn and Tavern at 506 Main Street South, Woodbury. To honor Jane's memory, and in lieu of flowers, donations are invited to the Torrington, CT Public Library (http://www.torringtonlibrary.org/donate.html) or the Shriners Hospitals for Children https://donate.lovetotherescue.org/give/
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