Jean Ellen Vanski, 74, of Arlington, VA, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 25, 2023 at Suburban Hospital, Bethesda, MD, with her family by her side. Jean was born in New Haven on July 22, 1948 and was the daughter of the late John W. and Barbara Strelkauskis Vanski. Jean graduated North Haven High School in 1966, from George Washington University in 1970 earning a Master’s Degree and had worked as a Deputy Division Director for National Science Foundation in DC for many, many years. She enjoyed traveling and going to the casino. Sister of Ruth Vanski and aunt of Karla Jean Vanski.
The visiting hour will be on Friday morning, March 31st from 9 to 10 AM in The Havens Family, North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue. A funeral service will be conducted in the funeral home on Friday morning at 10:00. Interment will follow in St. Lawrence Cemetery, West Haven. Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to World Central Kitchen, Attn: Donor Services Team, 200 Massachusetts Ave NW, 7th floor, Washington, DC 20001 or any fund to help Ukraine.
I have known Ruth for over 50 years. I’ve known her sister almost as long. The
I have known Ruth for over 50 years. I have known Jean almost as long. I’ll tell you something about the Vanski family…they are the finest people you could know. Strong independent smart women ! The world will miss Jean. It is a lesser world without her. RIP JEAN, SAY HI TO MOM FOR ME
Jean was an amazing colleague, friend, and mentor! She was witty, gracious, generous, classy, and funny; always willing to help and support others. She was an amazing writer and made me a better one. I’m so glad that she knew that she was loved and cared about. I will always remember our fun times together. Going to MGM, to the movies, etc. May she rest eternally in peace. Ruth and Karla you have my deepest sympathies.
My deepest sympathy and condolences to the Vanski family. Jean always encouraged me in my career with the NSF, and I will always be grateful to her for that. May she rest in perfect peace.
My sympathy and prayers are with Jean’s family. Her sense of humor and knowledge made her a great co-worker. She will be remembered and missed by many.
Jean was a brilliant, funny, ever-present, straight-shooting colleague. She was one of my favorite work friends for many years at NSF in the Office of Budget, Finance, and Award Management. She was an excellent writer. She told the truth, even when you may not have wanted to hear it. She worked so hard and was passionate about the NSF mission, which we all love so much. We often stayed late and would have talks about caring for our families (her mom and my mother-in-law). She also gave great career advice and would take the time to mentor and help colleagues along their respective journeys. I still have resumes and related documents with some of her great edits. Jean was also kind, always taking extra time to give great feedback to ensure our administrative professional staff was properly recognized. I was truly saddened to learn of this news but am glad she is at peace. I will pray for the family she leaves behind; I know how much she loved them. Jean will be missed dearly and remembered fondly by many.
Jean Vanski was the best Supervisor that I ever had. She was always professional and hard working. She would be called upon to participate in meetings that would cut her lunch short or she would work through lunch to get things done. I was happy to get lunch for her and many times eat lunch in her office with her. She was respected and will be missed by all who knew her. I am glad to say she was a friend of mine.
It is with great sadness that I received the news of the passing of a great colleague. Worked many wonderful years at NSF with Jean. May she rest in peace. Deepest sympathy to her family.
This is devastating news. I sold Jean her home many years ago. Sadly we fell out of touch about 10 years ago. But she was one of my favorite clients and I considered her a friend. My condolences to her family. I still have a treasured Christmas tree decoration that her sister made foe me many years ago. Jean was brilliant, witty, fun and just a really good person.
I met Jean at NSF about thirty years ago, and we have been friends ever since. We worked together trying to improve the teaching of mathematics and science for children across the country. Her ability to manage organizations allowed the ideas of the program officers to come to fruition. Her intelligence, honesty, warmth, unassuming way, and helpfulness made working with her a joy.
When I retired from NSF Jean and I decided that the best way to stay friends was to develop a routine and so we began meeting for dinner every Monday night. Those evenings usually included going out for dinner, having long discussions about her new role at NSF, sharing our views about current events, knitting, and watching tv. While spending so much time at our home, Jean became close to my husband, our daughter, Ceci, and Ginger, our 70 pound Lab, who thought that her rightful place was on Jean’s lap. We will all miss her so much.
Dear Ruth & Carla,
So sorry to read the news of the passing of your dear sister. May she rip.🙏