Essex, CT – Janet Litke Van Wagenen, passed away on July 14th, 2023. She was born June 16th, 1931 in Reading, PA. The daughter of the late Harry and Harriet Litke, she grew up in Long Meadow, MA, and then Scarsdale, NY, where she attended Scarsdale High School. After her graduation from Mount Holyoke College she married her beloved husband of 53 years the late Albert Miller Van Wagenen III, on November 27, 1954, in Scarsdale, NY.
After raising their five children in Rye, NY, the couple moved to Old Lyme, CT, where she enjoyed her time as a docent at the Florence Griswold Museum, gardening, cooking, and their two beloved Springer Spaniels, but most of all being an “Oomma” (grandmother). Later on she moved to Essex Meadows in Essex, CT, and lived there for 10 years. The family is so appreciative of the help from Lifetime Care at Home and the support of her two caring aides, Janet and Caroline.
Janet is survived by her five children, Albert (Christina) Van Wagenen IV and their four children Chris (Erin), Charlotte (Scott), Libby (Robert) , Annie (Andy), Pamela (Michael) Sweret, and their three children, Michael, Timothy, Matthew, Katherine (William) Sperry and their three children, Kara, Megan and Billy, Susan (David) McIntosh and their three children, Christy (Lou), Katie and Will and Elizabeth (Michael) Papile and their three children, Max, Sam and Lydia, and seven great grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, July 26th at 11am in The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme, Lyme St. & Ferry Rd., Old Lyme. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
