Jane Knox LaFountain of Durham, formerly Northford and Shelton, passed away peacefully surrounded by loving family on October 5, 2009, following a stroke and period of failing health earlier this year. She was 84 years old. She was born in Shelton, Connecticut, on July 29, 1925, the daughter of the late Harry and Jessie (Freeman) Knox, also of Durham and Northford. Her parents were the founders of a long-time restaurant and banquet facility in Northford, Restland Farm, where Jane was raised from the time she was 12. She graduated from Lyman Hall High School in Wallingford. She spent much of her working life in the family�s restaurant business before pursuing a career in mortgage banking with Dime Savings Bank of Wallingford prior to her retirement. For nearly 25 years, she enjoyed RVing around the country with her husband and spending time in Springfield, Vermont, and Siesta Key, Florida. She was an excellent cook, loved music, and especially enjoyed playing the organ. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star (her mother had been a member, her father was a Shriner and a Mason, and her husband and grandson, Jack, are Masons). In her early 40s, she heroically survived an especially aggressive case of breast cancer. More recently, she enjoyed being a member of one of Durham�s Red Hat societies as well as participating in activities through Middlefield�s Senior Center. She is survived by her devoted husband of nearly 60 years, Manton LaFountain, and two loving daughters and their families: Jan and her husband, Ron Melnik, and their sons, twins Daniel and Weston, and Stephen, all of Durham, CT; and Beth and her husband, Jim Winslow, of Durham, CT, and sons Jack Murray (Meriden, CT) and Jim Murray (Beacon Falls, CT) and twin daughters Jennifer Murray (Middletown, CT) and Jean and her husband, Casey O�Donnell (Vancouver, Washington). She is also survived by her nieces, Joann Knox Richards and Linda Knox Gibbons as well as several cousins. She was predeceased by her brother, John Knox. The family will receive friends from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 8, at the B.C. Bailey Funeral Home, 273 South Elm Street, in Wallingford; at 6:30 p.m. hospice�s spiritual care coordinator, Jean Morris, will officiate a brief service and musical interlude to which everyone is invited. A private burial will be held at the convenience of the family. Donations may be sent to Masonicare Home Health & Hospice, 33 North Plains Industrial Rd., Wallingford, CT 06492. The family would like to express their sincere thanks and appreciation for the kind and compassionate care provided by the hospice staff of Masonicare and the nursing staff of Regency House. Share a message of remembrance at www.BCBailey.com.