Obituary of Jan Smith

Jan Carol Smith, a third grade teacher at the Paul Smith Elementary School in Franklin, New Hampshire passed away on Friday, April 3, 2015 at the Tufts Medical Center in Boston after complications from heart surgery. She was only 59 years old. Jan was born on Long Island, New York. She was the daughter of the late Edward Wernersbach and Doris Brainard. She grew up on Wantagh, Long Island and was a graduate of Wantagh High School. She went to college at Plymouth State in Plymouth, New Hampshire where she earned her BA in Elementary Education. She was currently teaching 3rd grade at the Paul Smith elementary school in Franklin, New Hampshire. She was deeply passionate about teaching and helped her students by spreading her inherent curiosity for the world as well as her love for reading. Above all though, Jan loved to travel. Her favorite places were anywhere exotic with a beach and a lounge chair in the sun for reading. She shared this love for traveling with her two stepdaughters Molly and Maddy, and they embarked on many memorable, irreplaceable adventures like elephant trekking in Thailand, visiting London during the last royal wedding, snorkeling off of Rarotonga, and, roaming around Paris in search of the perfect haircut. Jan would always thoroughly research each of her destinations beforehand so she could cram as much into her trip as possible. Jan will be remembered for the concern she held for her students as well as her adventurous lifestyle, dry wit, impeccable sense of glamour, and love for her family and friends. Her life was tragically cut short, but Jan experienced more in her time here than most could ever dream of. She will be missed dearly by all who knew her, and all who were lucky enough to be touched by her life. Jan was the loving sister of Patti Brainard and her spouse Sheila Long of Lincoln, MA, David Wernersbach and Karen Coleman of Bedford, NH, Holly Brainard-Greisel of East Setauket, NY, and late John Wernersbach. She was the stepmother of Molly & Maddy Stevens , their father and her partner, the late John Daniel Stevens. She was the fun and loving aunt of Morgan Long, Katie & Sarah Greisel. She also leaves her beloved pet and companion, Bailey. A Celebration of Jan’s Life will be held at her home in New Hampton on Saturday, April 11 from 12-3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jan’s name may be made to the NH Humane Society, PO Box 572, Laconia, NH 03246. Jan was a third grade teacher at the Paul Smith Elementary School, Franklin, NH. For obituary and online guestbook see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net