NAUGATUCK — Jane Hubbell Pronovost died, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014 at Waterbury Hospital. She was the widow of Ralph J. Pronovost.
Jane was born July 30, 1926, daughter of Franklin C. and Emily (Sweeney) Hubbell. She resided in Naugatuck most of her life until four years ago when she relocated to an apartment at The Village at East Farms. She attended Goucher College. As a young child she was a dancer. She could also be found helping at the family business, Hubbell’s Garage, on Rubber Avenue. Jim, her brother, would often wager she could change a tire faster than most and drive and park large trucks in the tiniest parking spaces, including the wrecker. Rarely did she lose the challenge.
In addition to raising her five children, Jane and her family were parishioners of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. They volunteered for Catholic Family Services offering their home to foster newborns until adoption was finalized. In total, Jane, her husband, and their children took care of over 20 newborns throughout their years with the organization, providing a loving temporary home for infants. The fostering of the babies was a family effort and she would proudly tell people that her sons (youngest son was 9 at the time) could change a cloth diaper and feed the babies as good as anyone. On many occasions she was the mom watching the neighborhood kids, most of the time they were playing in her yard. She was eager to take care of any of the grandchildren and loved everyone of them. In 1985 she was awarded the Mother of the Year Award by the Fraternal Order of Eagles.
When her children became older she worked as a clerk for the Borough of Naugatuck. She was a member of the Naugatuck Republican Town Committee for many years and elected as the Republican Registrar of Voters for 30 years. She was an active volunteer all of her life. She served as an advisor for the St. Francis CYO cheerleaders. She was also a member and served as president of the St. Francis Parish Council. She also volunteered with the Naugatuck Historical Society and Red Cross blood drives and other organizations. Later Jane and her husband became involved with the sport of dog showing. Together they owned Boston Terriers that were bred by either her daughter and her husband or her son and his wife. She could be found sitting ringside at a show and was thrilled when son Jim showed their first Boston, Ho-Beau, to his championship. She was a former member and officer of the Boston Terrier Club of Connecticut and a member of The Boston Terrier Tea Party. Jane was also a member of the Red Hatters. She and Ralph spent many summer weeks at the family cottage on Molasses Pond, Eastbrook, Maine.
Jane is survived by five children. Her daughter, Anne Catterson (Robert) of Riverside, Calif. Her four sons, Thomas Pronovost (Elizabeth) of San Antonio, Texas, David Pronovost (Adrienne) of Cheshire, James Pronovost (Lisa) of Terryville and William Pronovost (Chris) of Tonganoxie, Kan. In addition to her children she leaves 12 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She also leaves her cherished first cousins Steve, Larry and Ellen Sweeney, numerous nieces and nephews and many close friends. She was predeceased by her brother, F. James Hubbell.
The family would also like to acknowledge the outstanding care mom received from Dr. J. Michael Elser and Dr. Sagar Phatak and his staff at Urology Specialists, the staff of the Waterbury Hospital ICU, and everyone at The Village at East Farms. Both physicians were dedicated to her care.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, Nov. 10, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 318 Church St. Burial will follow in St. James Cemetery. Calling hours are Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Buckmiller Thurston Mengacci Funeral Home, 82 Fairview Ave., Naugatuck.
Jane was strong in her faith and proud of her grandchildren that attended St. Bridget School in Cheshire. The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations should be made to St. Bridget School, 171 Main St., Cheshire, CT 06410 or to any Catholic elementary school of the donor’s choice.
To leave an online condolence, visit www.buckmillerthurstonmengacci.com.
