Obituary of Jane Roesler Corcoran

Jane Roesler Corcoran, 89, of New Canaan, CT, passed away peacefully on October 7, 2023.  Although Jane was born in Manhattan, New York, to the late Edward and Anne (Baker) Roesler, Jr., she grew up, married and raised her family on Long Island. 

Jane attended Buckley Country Day School in Roslyn, NY, graduating in 1948 before moving on to The Ethel Walker School to complete her preparatory education in 1952.  She then attended Bradford Junior College for two years, followed by earning her B.A. at Connecticut College in 1956. 

Jane married Charles DeBevoise Corcoran in 1960 and they moved to East Norwich, Long Island where they had and raised two boys.  Jane understood people intuitively and knew how to bring out the best in them so it was only natural that she become a teacher.  Starting in Manhattan in the 1950s at The Chapin School and Church of the Heavenly Rest and then on Long Island at her beloved Buckley, Jane loved teaching primary school students, always taking a special interest in the “problem” kids or the ones who couldn’t sit still.  Her patience was legendary, and no one ever heard her raise her voice, yet she controlled her classroom completely and her students loved her.  Eventually Jane progressed to become Head of the Lower School at Buckley, finally retiring in 1996 having made her mark on the school as a student, teacher and administrator.
       

Jane had a deep faith but never pushed her views on anyone and always respected people from other backgrounds and made them feel welcome and loved.  She worshipped regularly at her family church, All Saints Episcopal Church in Great Neck, until she moved to Stamford, Connecticut in 2000 to follow her sons, upon which time she joined St John’s.  One final move brought her to New Canaan where she joined St Mark’s, quickly becoming a well-loved member of the community.

Jane remained active in retirement and her greatest joys were spending time with family (especially her four grandchildren) and volunteering to help others, whether by tutoring, giving time at church or just providing a patient ear and non-judgmental advice.  Counting her family, friends, students, co-workers and fellow parishioners it is not an exaggeration to say she has positively impacted thousands of lives.
       

Jane was predeceased by her beloved husband Charles DeBevoise Corcoran (who died of cancer in 1993), and all 3 of her siblings; Anne (Nancy) M. Roesler, Edward (Ned) B. Roesler and John O. Roesler.  Jane is survived by her sons John (wife Carrie and sons Peter and Christopher) and Andrew (wife Carolyn, son Charles and daughter Grace), all of New Canaan, CT.  In addition she is survived by her sister in law Karen Roesler, brother and sister in laws Anthony C. and Sandra T. Corcoran, plus numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.   

 A memorial service will be held at St Mark’s Church in New Canaan at 11am on December 16th. 

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St Mark’s Church or The Alzheimer’s Association.