Janice Lona Gafner

December 30, 1936 - February 7, 2022

The lovely Janice Lona MacDonald Gafner of Cary, NC, left this life for the next on February 7, 2022 after a valiant challenge with pancreatic cancer. Jan was born to Leslie and Edith MacDonald on December 30, 1936 in New London, CT, and was the oldest of six daughters. After graduating from Old Lyme High School in 1954 she attended Bryant College and earned a diploma in Secretarial Training. It was at Bryant that she met the love of her life, Frederick A Gafner of Rome, NY whom she married on June 22, 1957 at The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme, CT. Jan and Fred moved often due to Fred’s career and every place they lived they quickly made lifelong friends; Poughkeepsie NY, to Hopewell Jct. NY, to Paris France, to Boca Raton FL, to Franklin MA, to Freedom NH, to New Bern NC, and finally to Cary NC. Jan insists she did not have a favorite place, but had many cherished friends! Along the way she employed her secretarial skills at Pratt Whitney, Vassar College, and other various businesses. She enjoyed playing the piano and organ at home or at church. Her early memories were of playing the organ pedals while her grandmother played the keys at the South Lyme Chapel. Beautiful flowers, wildlife, and wind in the trees brought joy to her days. She is survived by her sisters Vern Geiger, Earleen Soccoli, Gail Taylor, Sandra McGough; her children Barry Gafner, Lori Darling Gafner, Susan Gafner Oliver; her grandchildren Jay Darling, Daniel Oliver, Brenna Darling de Cruz, Kasey Darling Smith, Matthew Oliver, Connor Gafner, Logan Gafner; and her great granddaughter Emerson Oliver. Jan was predeceased by her sister Sherri Ashworth and her husband. The family she created, the friends she gathered, and her extended family will miss her ever present smile, encouragement, acceptance, and her love. The stars are shining more brightly. The family will gather at a later date to share and celebrate her life. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made ‘In Memory of Janice MacDonald Gafner’ to the South Lyme Union Chapel, P.O. Box 227, South Lyme, CT 06376-0227.