Rutland-born educator became a trailblazer for the Northeast Kingdom Section of the Green Mountain Club
Jean Crossley Haigh (formerly Rogers and Cotroneo), 84, of South Albany Road in Craftsbury, Vt., passed away unexpectedly but peacefully while leading a hike with her good friends from the Northeast Kingdom Section of the Green Mountain Club. She was doing what she loved most in her favorite part of the state, right up until the last moment. Born on March 21, 1935, to Ernest and Etta (Morris) Haigh, Jean grew up in Rutland, Vt., where she developed a love for Morgan horses at Mr. Hendy’s barn and for skiing at Pico. After graduating from Rutland High School, she studied microbiology at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, the rugged home of her ancestors. After returning to the States, she married and had two daughters, Nancy and Jackie, and, in 1965, resettled in Sudbury, Vt., on an old farm, which she quickly filled with Morgan horses and a pony. She rekindled her love of skiing at High Pond Ski Area. Jean completed her BS and master's degrees in education at Castleton State College. Later, she moved to Craftsbury, Vt. Over a long, vigorous and valued career, Jean enriched a variety of educational institutions, serving as a fifth grade teacher at Lothrop Elementary School; an administrator at the Brandon Training School, where she assisted in the deinstitutionalization and closure of the facility; as special education director at Rutland Northeast Supervisory Union and Lamoille South Supervisory Union; and as an adjunct professor at Castleton and Johnson State colleges. At the time of her death, she was still working for the University of Vermont, consulting to schools on the implementation of Positive Behavioral Intervention Support programs. As an educator and a teacher of teachers, Jean transformed innumerable lives. Jean’s unbounded energy, her commitment and dedication, her kindness and generosity, her compassion and care, and the brilliance and clarity of the light she brought to everything provided an example and an inspiration not only to all the young lives she touched and transformed, but to all the teachers she mentored and guided and who continue to spread her invaluable influence. To be anywhere with Jean in public was to be routinely astonished that she always seemed to know — and remember — everyone, and everyone loved her. The stream of people who stopped to say hello and chat, to be remembered, and to draw energy and warmth from Jean’s limitless stores was a…
Rutland-born educator became a trailblazer for the Northeast Kingdom Section of the Green Mountain Club
Jean Crossley Haigh (formerly Rogers and Cotroneo), 84, of South Albany Road in Craftsbury, Vt., passed away unexpectedly but peacefully while leading a hike with her good friends from the Northeast Kingdom Section of the Green Mountain Club. She was doing what she loved most in her favorite part of the state, right up until the last moment. Born on March 21, 1935, to Ernest and Etta (Morris) Haigh, Jean grew up in Rutland, Vt., where she developed a love for Morgan horses at Mr. Hendy’s barn and for skiing at Pico. After graduating from Rutland High School, she studied microbiology at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, the rugged home of her ancestors. After returning to the States, she married and had two daughters, Nancy and Jackie, and, in 1965, resettled in Sudbury, Vt., on an old farm, which she quickly filled with Morgan horses and a pony. She rekindled her love of skiing at High Pond Ski Area. Jean completed her BS and master's degrees in education at Castleton State College. Later, she moved to Craftsbury, Vt. Over a long, vigorous and valued career, Jean enriched a variety of educational institutions, serving as a fifth grade teacher at Lothrop Elementary School; an administrator at the Brandon Training School, where she assisted in the deinstitutionalization and closure of the facility; as special education director at Rutland Northeast Supervisory Union and Lamoille South Supervisory Union; and as an adjunct professor at Castleton and Johnson State colleges. At the time of her death, she was still working for the University of Vermont, consulting to schools on the implementation of Positive Behavioral Intervention Support programs. As an educator and a teacher of teachers, Jean transformed innumerable lives. Jean’s unbounded energy, her commitment and dedication, her kindness and generosity, her compassion and care, and the brilliance and clarity of the light she brought to everything provided an example and an inspiration not only to all the young lives she touched and transformed, but to all the teachers she mentored and guided and who continue to spread her invaluable influence. To be anywhere with Jean in public was to be routinely astonished that she always seemed to know — and remember — everyone, and everyone loved her. The stream of people who stopped to say hello and chat, to be remembered, and to draw energy and warmth from Jean’s limitless stores was a…
