Jan Riordan, beloved daughter, sister, mother, aunt and friend, passed away at home from natural causes on September 14, 2026, at the age of 70.
Jan’s passion for life was filled with an extraordinary amount of love — for her family, her friends, her dogs and the many people whose lives she touched. She gave that love freely and without reservation.
Perhaps the greatest love of her life was her son, Matthew. Adopting Matthew changed Jan’s life, and she considered him the greatest gift she had ever received. Her love for him was deep, fierce and unconditional.
There was always laughter when Jan was in the room. She had a wonderful sense of humor and a way of making people feel comfortable, welcome and loved. She was also one of the most loyal people you could ever know. If someone she loved experienced a loss or a difficult time, Jan was there. She checked in, she listened, and she stayed. She would drop whatever she was doing to help another person. Service to others was simply part of who she was.
Jan was famous for the beautiful cards she sent to friends and family. She never simply signed her name. She always added her own loving, personal thoughts, turning an ordinary card into something that became a keepsake.
Fitness was another central part of Jan’s life. She owned and operated the Northern Lights Nautilus, operated Racquet’s Edge for more than 35 years, worked at the YMCA and then went on to run Synergy Fitness. She loved being active and embraced walks, racquetball, tennis, golf, cycling and strength training. She brought the same dedication and energy to her work that she brought to everything else in her life.
Although Jan was instrumental in the success of the businesses she ran, she was remarkably humble. She rarely took credit for herself and was much more likely to praise the people around her. She had a gift for making others feel that their contributions mattered.
Through all this, Jan found time to volunteer with many organizations, most recently the Jennifer Riordan Foundation with the nationwide Spark Kindness Tour. Jan also helped with outreach at the Alzheimer’s Association and served on the board for Martha’s Barn and Vermont Cancer Support Network.
Jan was a lifelong and devoted Red Sox fan. She loved going to Opening Day and cheering for her team, and being a Red Sox fan was one of those enduring passions that brought her joy year after year.
Her mother, Betty, was her best friend, and the two shared an exceptionally close bond. Jan’s love of family was evident throughout her life. When her grandmother became ill and could no longer live alone, Jan cared for her and made sure she was not alone. She also adored her two brothers, Jerry and Mike. She and Jerry shared a lifetime of memories starting in Long Island, N.Y., and later when they moved to Essex Junction, Vt. Mike was born when Jan was 16, and she helped their parents raise him. Their relationship grew into an especially close and loving one that remained throughout their lives.
Jan loved her dogs, Blackie, Duke, Spencer, Jetson, Aspen and Kobe. She also had a remarkable ability to make friends wherever she went. To Jan, it seemed, everyone was a friend. She remained deeply loyal to the group of friends she made in high school and stayed in touch with them throughout her life.
Jan is survived by her beloved son, Matthew; brothers, Jerry (Marianne) and Mike; nieces, Sara (Alex and Tanner Putnam) and Averie; and nephews, Joshua, Todd (Kelly Macnee, Bode and Graham), and Kevin. She was predeceased by her parents, Betty and Leroy Riordan; grandparents Gertrude and Joe Hickey, and Helen and Daniel Riordan; and her beloved sister-in-law Jennifer.
Jan’s greatest gift was not any one accomplishment. It was the way she made people feel. She made people feel remembered. She made them feel supported. She made them laugh. And she made them feel loved.
Her absence will leave an enormous space in the lives of the many people who were fortunate enough to know her. But the love she gave so generously will remain — in Matthew, in her family and in all of us who were lucky enough to call her our friend.
Visiting hours will be held on October 2, 2026, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Corbin & Palmer, 9 Pleasant St., Essex Junction, VT. A private burial for the family will be held in the afternoon. To honor Jan’s laughter, smile and fond memories, a celebration of life will be held on October 4, 2026, 1 p.m., at the Catamount Country Club, 1400 Mountain View Rd., Williston, VT. Jan was active in supporting the Parkinson’s community, and in lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, (give.michaeljfox.org/campaign/831853/donate).
Jan will be deeply missed and forever loved.