HAZEN, JESSIE NYE Jessie Nye Hazen, wife of the late Reginald L. Hazen died in her 90th year at her home in East Hampton. Jessie was the daughter of Hiram Hale Nye and Margaret Bruce Nye, and spent her youth on the family farm in Vermont. She attended high school at Lyndon Institute in Lyndon, Vermont and always spoke warmly of her time there and the friends she met, many of who remained as life-long friends. She was an active 4-H member since a very early age and was crowned Vermont State Canning Champion in 1943, canning 698 jars of food in one summer. Jessie was a graduate of the class of 1946 from Iowa State College majoring in Nutrition. Upon returning to Vermont, her first job was as a 4-H agent with the UVM Extension Service in Grand Isle Country. It is there that she met her husband, Reg, and was married on December 23, 1947. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Connecticut and took up residence in East Hampton. She returned to work in 1956, working for the UCONN Extension Service in New London County as a 4-H Agent until 1962. She had fond memories of the 4-H program, her 4-Hers and their families. In 1966, she was hired as an extension home economist, also in New London County. She was responsible for conducting nutritional education programs, supervising and training nutritional aides in the EFNEP (Expanded Food and Nutrition Educational Programs) program to help low and moderate income families. She was chairman of the UCONN Extension Home Food Task force from 1974 - 1976. She coordinated the efforts of extension educators to meet the growing need for information and assistance on home food production, food preservation, food safety and raising livestock. In 1977, she was awarded a Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of Extension Home Economists. She was cited for her "outstanding program management and leadership to the total home economics program in New London County." It was also noted that, "She brings to each educational program a special warmth and concern for people. She combines the practical, low-key approach with a ready ability to communicate with people." She served as president of the Connecticut Extension Home Economist Association, president of Alpha Chi (CT) chapter of Epsilon Sigma Phi, national honorary Extension Service fraternity. She was also administrator of the New London Country Extension Service. In her spare time, she enjoyed traveling, spending time with her family especially her grandchildren, creating wonderful meals from the bountiful garden of her husband and hosting family meals for the holidays. She co-owned Hazen Tree Farm in East Hampton since 1964. She was a season ticket holder and supporter of UCONN athletics for many years. She was a leader of the 4-H Crickets for 10 years and served on the New London County Extension Service Advisory Board after retiring She performed many weddings as a justice of the peace. She was an avid bridge player, playing with her neighborhood group for over fifty years, being survived only by her neighbor and friend, Jessie Sjoblad. She is survived by her three children, Linn Hazen of North Hero, VT, Kristine Haswell of Cromwell CT and Kathy Downey of Lowell MA: her grandchildren, Jessie Hazen, Lyndsay Hazen, Martha Bonaiuto, Kristine Haswell, Ashton Haswell, Susan Haswell, Hannah Hazelwood, Peter Downey and Tyler Downey. She was predeceased by her grandson, Matthew Hazen, her son-in-law James Downey and brother Eric Nye. She is also survived by her great grandchildren, Wyatt, Iva, Connor, Jax, and Trigg, and her sister, Mary and husband, Ernie Sunega, her sister-in-laws, Pauline Nye, Nancy Hazen and Hazel Hazen, several nieces and nephews and extended family members Kathleen Hazen and Robert Haswell. A special thanks goes to the nurses and aides of Middlesex Hospital Hospice, Dr. Montano and his staff, and Gail Labbadia for their special care. Linn, Kris and Kathy will be forever grateful to Gloria Nicholas and Lynda Banning for their dedication to the care of their mother for several years. Funeral services will be Friday September 25th, 11 a.m. at the East Hampton Congregational Church with the Rev. Thomas Kennedy officiating. Friends are invited to call at the Spencer Funeral Home, 112 Main St., East Hampton, Thursday September 24th, 6-8PM. Burial services will be Saturday, September 26th at Jerusalem Cemetery, North Hero, VT. Contributions can be made to the Reg Hazen Scholarship Fund(c/o Liberty Bank, 2 West High St., East Hampton, CT 06424) to be know as the Reg and Jessie Memorial Fund, for agricultural and education youth activities.