Obituary of JEAN A. RUSTICI

Jean A. Rustici, 89, of Stamford, passed away February 5, 2015. Jean was born in Stamford April 12, 1925. Daughter of the late Joseph and Louise (Tamburri) Rustici, Jean lived in Stamford her entire life. She was predeceased by her brother, Donald Rustici. Jean is survived by her nephew, Patrick Rustici, and her nieces, Ginny Ranson, Peggy Zalkind, and Donna Courchaine, as well as many cousins, grand- and great-nieces and nephews. Jean graduated from Smith College in 1947, and earned graduate degrees from Columbia University. Her passion was early childhood education. Her mother had started a day care in her home during the depression, and Jean turned that into a highly-regarded nursery school in Stamford, that continued operation into the 1980's. She was well-known in her field over many years. One of her proudest accomplishments was her involvement in establishing the original Head Start programs. She also worked for the Connecticut State Department of Education, and for the Yale Bush Center of Child Development and Social Policy, authoring many significant studies. After her retirement, she continued her involvement through the CAEYC, the Ct Association for the Education of Young Children. Jean loved her whole family, immediate and extended, and was always there with her support. She will be missed by multiple generations. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, February 14, 2015 at 11:30 AM at Sacred Heart Church, 37 Schuyler Avenue, Stamford. Interment will take place in private. Relatives and friends may call at the Lacerenza Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 8 Schuyler Avenue, Stamford on Saturday, February 14, 2015 from 9:00 - 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers please send donations in memory of Jean to the Childcare Learning Center, Development Department, 64 Palmers Hill Road, Stamford, CT 06902 or www.clcstamford.org