Jayne B. Telford

Jayne Barrett Telford of Madison, CT passed away on March 27, 2024 at Gladeview Healthcare Center in Old Saybrook, CT surrounded by her loving family. She had resided there for just five short weeks.

Born on April 22, 1928, Jayne was the youngest daughter of Mary (Beatty) and Thomas Barrett of 218 Nicoll Street, New Haven. She was the loving wife of William H. Telford, Jr who predeceased her on June 18, 2012.

A proud native of New Haven, Jayne graduated in 1941 from Worthington Hooker Grammar School and from Hillhouse High School in 1945. She worked for the New Haven Telephone Company for a few years. A co-worker from Madison introduced Jayne to Bill and they soon realized they had each found the love of their life.

Jayne and Bill were married on January 13, 1951 at St. Joseph’s Parish in New Haven. The Rev. Charles L. Hewitt officiated. To mark their 50th anniversary in 2001, the couple renewed their marriage vows at a Mass celebrated by the Rev. Gerard Schmitz at St. Margaret Parish in Madison, where they were communicants and active parishioners throughout their lives.

Jayne created a home for her husband and children that was filled with love, encouragement and laughter. She often remarked how much she truly loved raising her five children. She did so attentively, tenderly and happily. Jayne and Bill were wonderful parents who were positive role models for their children.

After her family was older, Jayne earned her real estate license in 1977 and became a well-known and well respected realtor in Madison and along the shoreline. Jayne was very knowledgeable about the growth of Madison and the quality of homes having learned a great deal from Bill who was a Madison native and an accomplished building contractor. Jayne loved helping families find just the right home and took great joy when they would see her many years later and express how happy they still were living in the home she had found for them. Jayne retired in 2018 at the age of 90 from William Raveis Real Estate. She had previously worked at The Gould Agency and Beazley Realtors. She won several Realtor awards and was a member of the Founders Club.

Jayne was deeply committed to her Catholic faith and was a longtime, active member of the St. Margaret’s Women’s Guild. She was a founding member and a former president of the American Legion Post #79 Women’s Auxiliary. Jayne was a leader of the annual Poppy campaign to honor deceased veterans on Memorial Day. With her kind, sincere and joyful personality, Jayne made each person feel valued and important.

Jayne is survived by her five children to whom she was devoted: Mary Jane Telford of Allegany NY, Patricia Jones of Woodbury CT, Katherine Telford of Alexandria VA, William III and Sharon Telford of Branford CT, and Thomas Telford of Seekonk MA.

She was a wonderful grandmother to Barrett (Jennifer) Telford, Megan Telford, Colin Telford, Samuel Telford, Nicholas Telford, Jacob (Meghan) Jones, Keith (Katty) Jones and Kevin Jones.

Jayne was thrilled to celebrate 4 generations of The Telford family when Barrett and Jen welcomed their adorable son, Braeden Telford, into the world in February 2023.

Special friends Pam (Tim) Guidera, Ann Sullivan, Eva (Michael) Guidera and Mary Piccioli were like daughters to Jayne. Jayne also cherished her friendship with Wanda and Jack (deceased) Childs. Jayne is also survived by her cousin Mary Ann Beatty, her sister-in-law Monique Rooney and several nieces and nephews.

Jayne was predeceased by her loving husband of 61 years William H. Telford, Jr. (2012) and her beloved sisters Marie Barrett (2001) and Katherine Barrett (2014). She was also predeceased by her cousins Robert Beatty and Donnie Beatty as well as her in-laws John and Isabelle Rooney, Francis and Vonnie Telford and Robert Telford.

Her wake will be held at Swan Funeral Home, 825 Boston Post Road in Madison on Tuesday, April 9. Family and friends will be received at 3:00-7:00pm

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Margaret Parish, 24 Academy Street in Madison on Wednesday, April 10 at 11:00am. Burial will be at The West Cemetery on Jannas Lane in Madison immediately following Mass.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated in Allegany, NY at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift in Jayne’s name to: American Legion Post #79, PO Box 504, 43 Bradley Road Madison, CT 06443 or to Madison Hose Company No.1, PO Box 573 Madison, CT 06443 or to an organization of your choice.