Obituary of Lora M. Jakans

On April 23, 2024, Lora Marija Jakans was welcomed into the arms of God and was once more reunited with her mother, Pauline Hildegard Kuzmics.   Lora was born on June 11, 1942, in Jelgava Latvia during Nazi occupation and as a result she never really knew her father. As an adult she would sometimes say, I can’t remember my father.  Lora’s life was full of challenges, as early on it was evident that there was something different about Lora.  Lora’s mother knew what happened to children that were different, so she was always very protective of her.  When WWII was nearing an end and Russian armies were advancing, like other Latvians she fled with her mother, as life under Russian rule had already been experienced. Lora and her mother lived in Displaced Persons Camp in Germany until 1949 when the Central Baptist Church of Hartford, CT sponsored their immigration to the USA.  In 1950 with great hopes of creating a new family, Lora’s mother married a fellow Latvian whom she had met while living in one of the DP camps in Germany.  Things do not always work out as one expects, so in 1958 the Church suggested that Lora, at the age of 16, be placed in Mansfield State Training School.  Lora’s mother did not quite understand what that meant, until after Lora’s placement. After 8 years of living in Mansfield, one of Lora’s teachers, Mr. Whalen, was instrumental in getting her transferred to Seaside Regional Center in Waterford, CT.  Seaside had a beautiful ocean side setting that provided Lora with the ability to blossom.  Eventually she was able to live semi independently in New London for 35 years with support of DDS/DMR.  During those years she held multiple jobs, which included Friendly’s, Tollgate Laundry and lastly the GoodWill of Groton where she was one of their most productive workers.  Working and earning a paycheck were always important to Lora.   When asked about retirement, Lora said she wanted to work until she was 80, just like her mother.  Due to the DDS/DMR support services and the New London community, besides holding a job, Lora was able to attend adult education, have a literacy volunteer, attend First Baptist Church and even take a trip to the Bahamas.  In 2011, due to health issues, Lora’s could no longer live semi independently in New London, so she moved to an RMS Group Home in Middletown.   Lora lived there for 13 years, where she once more developed close and trusting relationships with the staff and her housemate Linda. For several years Lora enjoyed participating in weekly bowling in Wallingford and played bocce in the special olympics.  She liked doing jig saw puzzles, but only if they were 500 pieces or less; making sandwiches for her housemates’ lunch boxes and brewing afternoon coffee.  Lora took pride in keeping a neat bedroom and organizing and reorganizing her clothes closet, a carryover from her time working for the GoodWill in Groton.  She loved Dunkin Donuts coffee, always black.  Lora enjoyed birds, both watching them from a distance, as well as having several pet parakeets (Lucky#1 and Lucky#2). Most recently she enjoyed the lifelike versions of parakeets that tweeted to welcome her, but did not require feeding nor cage cleaning.  Lora remembered birthdays and special occasions and she usually had a card for you.  When there was a gift involved, she would be so excited, that she would tell you as soon as she purchased it or before you could open the wrapping.  Lora would frequently say “I miss mommy” and would ask on those special occasions if there were flowers on her grave. She said thank you a lot.  Lora enjoyed attending her day program at MARC, where she was provided many opportunities and experiences. Late in life Lora learned that she enjoyed acting and participated in plays, with performances at Odd Fellows Playhouse in Middletown.  Through MARC and community employers, she was once more able to have a “job” and collect a paycheck.  She was always very proud to tell her sisters what she had earned.  Lora worked until she was 81, exceeding her mother’s record by 1 year.  While terminally ill with Peritoneal cancer, when asked what she wanted to do, her answer was “I want to go back to work”. 
 

Lora is survived by her sister Arija and brother in-law Tony Agostino of Glastonbury, sister Erika Kuzmics of Glastonbury and second and third cousins of Wethersfield and Wallingford, CT.  The family of Lora would like to thank the New London DDS staff (Karen, May, Sharon, Megan, Pam, Ashley, Donna, James) for enriching Lora’s life for over 35 years; the staff of Chestnut Hill (Cathy, Arika, April, Michelle) for supporting Lora for 13 years; the staff of MARC Community Services (Sahrina and the many staff) giving Lora something to look forward to each day; the daily participants at MARC for sending hand made get well cards to Lora, who they affectionately referred to as Grandma; the medical providers through the years that showed real compassion and concern when caring for Lora:  Dr. Robert Piorkowski, Dr.  Nagakartti, Dr. Ferraro-Borgida, Dr. Jill Peters-Gee, Dr. V. Johnson, Dr. M.Huddleston, UConn Dental Clinic residents; Counselor and friend Julie; the HH Gynecological Oncology practice and the Glastonbury HealthCare staff:  Shay, Sally, CNA Marie, CNA Melissa, nurse Elsa who watched over Lora during her final weeks and Julia who made the 3:00am call so family could be at Lora’s side.   Lastly a thank you to the the HHC Hospice Team for providing all encompassing, comprehensive and comforting care for Lora, as well as her family.  Thank you, Nurse Amanda, for listening and Spiritual Counselor James for rearranging your Monday schedule to visit with Lora and making her smile for one last time.

The funeral service will be held Monday, April 29, 2024 at 11:00 am at Mulryan Funeral Home, 725 Hebron Ave., Glastonbury, CT.  Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Hartford.  Friends and family may call on Monday, April 29, 2024 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Lora’s memory (and the many other women) may be made to:OVARIAN CANCER RESEARCH FUND PO BOX 32141 NEW YORK, NY 10087-2141.  For online condolences, please visit www.mulryanfh.com.