WESTFIELD – 
Jane Ada Squire, (1924-2019) a good friend to all, passed away August 19 at the age of 95. Raised as an only child in West Springfield and Holyoke, she created a “family” of the people she encountered. Jane bought winter coats for her neighbors’ children, took her nursing home-bound aunts for Sunday afternoon rides, knitted hats for the cheerleaders she advised at Holyoke High School, called the bank tellers and physicians’ receptionists by name, and knew and always asked about the children of the clerk at the hardware store. Jane was a member of the Holyoke High School Class of 1942 having been a cheerleader and yearbook celebrity as “the most talkative” in her class. She graduated from Boston University and retired from a long career of teaching physical education to all age levels in the Holyoke Public Schools. After retiring from teaching, she worked at Conner’s Stationary Store in Westfield and developed another branch of her family. Jane was a talented crafter who made braided rugs for her home and for many of her friends. She cross-stitched birth announcement hangings for scores of babies and unique greeting cards for her friends. Jane was an excellent cook known for her relishes, pickles, pumpkin dinner, kahlua, and desserts. At her ninetieth birthday party over one hundred friends and neighbors flocked to wish her well and share stories with and about her. Jane was pre-deceased by her parents Zephyrine (Desnoyer) and Ned Squire. She leaves a Godchild Ellen Wojtowicz; close friends, including Jean Armitage, Barbara Martino, Lynne Skypeck, Beverly Lambert, and George Reichert; and her thoughtful neighbors. Jane was a sincere, generous, caring woman and a well-loved friend who will be missed by many more “family” than she realized. According to her wishes all services are private. Donations in Jane’s memory may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
