Obituary of Betty Jane Locher

Betty Jane Locher
Betty Jane Locher of Litchfield and formerly of Norwalk, CT entered eternal life on November 27, 2018.
The beloved daughter of Hiram Oliver and Bessie Jane Thomas Larrabee was born on March 3, 1924 in Mincy, Missouri. BJ, as she was lovingly known, was predeceased by older brothers John Thomas Larrabee and Hiram Oliver Larrabee, with whom she enjoyed 4H and Rifle Club memberships as youths. She served in the USO alongside her mother for several years. Married on February 7, 1945 to the late LTJG Naval Aviator and flight instructor J Hartley Locher, they raised five daughters and one son. The couple moved to Norwalk in 1955.
A quiet woman of social grace with a gifted sense of fashion and style, BJ was a talented seamstress who created beautiful dresses, toys and personalized Christmas stockings for her children that still hang in their homes today. She was a staunch advocate of individuality, equal rights and dignity for all who raised her children with the confidence to go into the world and strive as she did to make it a better place. Betty Jane was a long-term member in the Norwalk Woman's Club, received its Volunteer of the Year Award and was instrumental in the organization and production of its Mistletoe and Poinsettia Balls held for all economic classes of young women of Norwalk. She served many years on the Executive Woman's Board of Norwalk Hospital and volunteered at Treasure House Thrift Shop; the proceeds of which support the growth and development of the hospital. Betty Jane also served as a Stephen Minister to assist those in crisis through Norwalk United Methodist Church, was an active member of multiple PTAs and a long-time member of Shore and Country Club. She embodied her belief that kindness matters.
A highly skilled executive secretary, Betty Jane was employed by Valerie Trucking Co., Norwalk Board of Education, and Prudential Real Estate in Norwalk. She served as Vice President of Petroleum Sampling Products, Inc. until dissolving that business after J Hartley's passing in 1987. She moved to Chandler, AZ in the early 1990's where she remained for several years until returning to CT to reside in Burlington, Wilton and, ultimately, Litchfield.
She will be forever missed yet kept vibrantly alive in the hearts of her surviving children: Valerie Ann Locher of Housatonic, MA, Melinda Locher McCreary (James B.) of Stratford, CT, Delisse Elayne Locher (Harold Cable) of Morris, CT, Felicia Locher Haynes (Jason D.) of Chandler, AZ, Jeffrey Howlyn Locher (Tracy A.) of Wilton, CT and Jyllene Yvette Miller (Kenneth A.) of Chandler, AZ. She is also survived by her
grandchildren, Justin David Jayne of Ojai, CA, Ryan Daniel Locher Jayne (Holly) of Wallingford, CT, Tyler Jeffrey Corry (Natalie) of Scottsdale, AZ, Garrett Michael Corry (Natalie) of Scottsdale, AZ, Jacqueline Vee Locher, Kelsey Jane Locher and Madison Ann Locher all of Wilton, CT, great-grandson Maxwell Danger Jayne of Wallingford, CT and multiple nieces and nephews.
A private family service for immediate family will be held at the interment of her ashes in the Spring of 2019. In celebration of her grace-filled life, the family requests that in her memory, you extend to all persons acts of kindness and respect as she did. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her name to The Wounded Warrior Project. Arrangements have been entrusted to Rowe Funeral Home.