AMHERST, MA. After living courageously with Alzheimer’s Disease for almost seven years, Janet Ryan left this world peacefully in the early hours of September 6^th surrounded by her loving family.

She was the daughter of the late Robert Ryan and Constance (Scott) Ryan. Jan is survived by her husband, Jack Horrigan, and daughters, Caitlin Horrigan (husband Jackson) of Washington D.C. and Megan Hiller (husband Jason) of Hull, MA. She leaves two cherished granddaughters, Darby and Maeve, of Washington D.C. She is also survived by her sister, Lyn Freeman and her husband, John, of Oak Bluffs, MA. In addition, Jan leaves behind several beloved cousins and twelve nieces and nephews.

Jan grew up in West Springfield, MA and she attended public schools there, graduating from West Springfield High School in 1971. She attended Wheelock College in Boston for two years before transferring to UMass Amherst where she met the love of her life, Jack, and graduated in 1975. Jan’s area of expertise was Early Childhood Education and she worked for the Hampshire Educational Collaborative for four years during the early years of Chapter 766 implementation.

She gained invaluable experience there, working with children with significant special needs from home and institutional settings. Jan then worked as an Early Childhood Education Teacher in Southampton and Easthampton before accepting a position in the Amherst – Pelham Regional School District.

After a few years, she moved into her dream job, Coordinator of the Amherst Preschool Program, a role she filled with distinction for many years. Jan was a tireless advocate for her students and she felt strongly about providing every child with a good start in school, regardless of their abilities. Her office was a refuge for children who were having a bad day and if a parent happened to bring a baby into the Preschool Program, that baby usually ended up in Jan’s arms. The Preschool Program was based in several different elementary schools over the years, and Jan made friends wherever she went. She was a wonderful leader who inspired great affection and loyalty on the part of Preschool staff members.

Each summer, Jan spent significant time on Martha’s Vineyard, living in the cottage that has been passed down through multiple generations of her family. Her beloved cousin, Ellie Regan and her husband, Joe, lived directly across the street and her sister and her husband lived right around the corner. On the Vineyard, Jan enjoyed gardening, walking, biking and especially swimming in the ocean. She loved hosting family and friends at the cottage and she spent countless hours with loved ones on the large front porch there.

A lovely person and a loyal friend, Jan often placed the needs of others above her own. With Jack she found her soulmate and true partnership – sharing both a birthday and a beautiful life and marriage of 43 years together. She was a devoted mother and served as a wonderful role model for her two daughters.

She lived with great courage and grace during the past several years as her health declined. She was lovingly cared for by a group of remarkable individuals including Julia, Maggie, Suzie, and Madison. Jan also received outstanding care from several members of VNA Hospice and the family will be forever grateful to all of these exceptional women.

Friends and family are invited to Visiting Hours on Wednesday, Sept. 18^th from 5 – 7 PM at Douglass Funeral Home at 87 North Pleasant St. in Amherst, MA.

A memorial service will take place on Thursday, Sept. 19^th at 11:00 AM at South Congregational Church at 1066 South East St. in Amherst.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jan’s name to: VNA Attn. Hospice, 30 Locust Street, Northampton, MA 01060 or Amherst Education Foundation, Inc. P.O. Box 1363, Amherst, MA 01004-1363.

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com