Jane Lester

Jane Lester, 67, of Colchester, VT, and formerly of Paul Smiths, NY, passed away on Sunday, August 30, at University of Vermont Medical Center, following a brief illness.

Jane grew up in Paul Smiths and graduated Saranac Lake High School in 1977. She was a long-time campus dining employee at Paul Smith’s College, after which she moved to Colchester, where she worked in the same field at the former IBM campus in Essex Junction, and most recently at St. Michael’s College in Colchester. Jane developed close relationships with her current and former colleagues, some of whom looked out for her and were considered to be her extended family. She especially enjoyed the camaraderie of the college community, where she would act as a “surrogate mom” to students, there to lend an ear and to offer support. Jane travelled home often to visit her family and close friends. She enjoyed getting together with them regularly during her visits home, including holidays and special occasions. Jane always looked forward to her annual vacation to Georgia to visit with her goddaughter and family.

For those who knew Jane well, we will miss not only her dry sense of humor, but also her generous and kind-hearted spirit.

Jane is survived by her siblings, including her loving sister Judy Lester of Paul Smiths, NY; brothers Steve Lester (Debra Pope) of Ballston Spa, NY; Wayne Lester (Myra) of Wilmington, NY; Clarence Lester, Jr. (Lynn) of Saranac Lake, NY; goddaughter Kelsey Davis (Nick) of Fayetteville, GA, as well as several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Jane was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Dorothy Lester, older brother William, and her grandparents Alice and Rolla Ero and Wayne and Lois Lester.

Many who knew Jane know that she never liked being the center of attention, so we are honoring her wishes that there be no services, but rather a celebration of life to take place at a later date.

Anyone wishing to make a donation in Jane’s memory may do so to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741, or online at https://American Cancer Society.