Jody Capen
Mystic — Jody Capen, 65, a longtime Mystic resident, died unexpectedly on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018, at her Groton Long Point beach house.
Jody was born in Boston, Mass., on June 5, 1952, daughter of the late Weston and Rose (Kowalski) Capen, and moved to Connecticut soon after where she grew up with her three brothers and sister. A graduate of Robert E. Fitch High School, Class of 1970, Jody went on to attend the Southern Connecticut State College (now University), graduating in 1974 with a bachelor’s degree in special education.
After teaching in an elementary school in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, Jody spent several years teaching learning-disabled students at the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind. She then completed her master’s degree at the University of Cincinnati before returning home to Mystic. Jody first taught for the Groton school system at the New England Adolescent Treatment Center before joining the faculty at Fitch High School. Even after a 33-year career in education, Jody continued to teach part-time in her retirement for the Groton Public Schools.
Jody was as passionate about her other pastimes as she was about children and teaching. She and her favorite person, her husband of 28 years, Joe St Martin, traveled across the contiguous United States, to Hawaii and Alaska, to countries including Australia and New Zealand, and had a trip planned for South Africa in the coming year. There was almost always a side trip included so Jody could do what she loved most, visit with family and friends – and horses and dogs!
Her home always had at least one pet through the years. Jody loved her dogs and cats, and trained and adopted other people’s “problem pets” as well.
Jody created an extended family wherever she went, and the Mystic Congregational Church was no exception. She was an extremely active member of her church, including being a deacon for many years, a past head deacon, and a member of the bell choir. Jody believed absolutely in the power of people to make this world a better place, and she lived that, one relationship at a time, always having time for family and friends, while reaching out to the larger world through support of the church’s Mission Program and local outreach.
Jody especially loved her time spent reading to children – her many nieces and nephews, kids in local homeless shelters, and her most recent favorite reading partner and playmate, Jaxson, reflecting recently, “We always love the littlest ones the best, don’t we.”
She regularly enjoyed musical theater, from Broadway to local productions. Attending the Eugene O’Neill Theater’s Cabaret & Performance Conference public performances were must-see summer outings with her lifelong friend, Natalie. But of all her musical loves, Frank Sinatra topped her list in an indisputable number one position! She and her mom, Rose, listened together, went to many concerts with a variety of family members through the years, and Jody still had a Frank Sinatra satellite radio station on in her car more than any other.
Always up for a trip to a live game or a visit over a televised one, Jody followed the UConn Husky basketball teams – especially the women’s – the WNBA Connecticut Sun, and the Boston Red Sox.
She is survived by her husband, traveling buddy and best friend, Joe St Martin.
Jody will be especially missed by her brothers, David Capen and his wife, Pamela Capen, of Bel Air, Md., Mark Capen and his wife, Mary Wood, of Mystic, Dennis Capen and his wife, Lesley Capen, of Meadows of Dan, Va.; and her sister, Carole Capen-Kargher and her husband, Richard Kargher, of Middletown; as well as her husband’s brother and sisters, Paul St Martin and his wife, Gloria, Jeannine Aquino and her husband, Phil, and Pauline Ramsey and her husband, Steve. She will also be deeply missed by her nieces and nephews, Margo, David, Karen, Jessica, Alexis, Gray, Nathaniel, Deborah, Maria, Dominic, Mike, Steven, Keith, and Laurie. Jody also leaves behind many well-loved great and great-grandnieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Jody was predeceased by her brothers, John and Richard, and her sister, Deborah.
Jody’s warmth, kindness, and laughter will be remembered by all who knew her. Her practical wisdom, unfailing optimism, and always open arms are part of the legacy Jody has generously given to her family and loved ones.
Calling hours will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 25, at Mystic Funeral Home, Route 1, Mystic. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 10, at Mystic Congregational Church, Route 1, Mystic. Burial will be at a later date.
Donations in her memory may be directed to Mystic Congregational Church Mission Programs, Mystic Congregational Church, 43 E Main St., Mystic, CT 06355-2831.
Jody’s family invites you to visit www.mysticfuneralhome. com for obituary information, directions, and an online memorial register to leave a note of condolence.