Janet L. (Byrd) Close Caswell

August 19, 2013

Janet L. (Byrd) Close Caswell, 76, of Meadow Wood Drive, North Stonington, Conn., went home to be with the Lord, surrounded by her loving family on Monday, Aug. 19, 2013.

She was the beloved wife of Joseph R. Caswell.

Born in Suffolk on Sept. 16, 1936, she was the daughter of the late James E. and Helen (Bateman) Byrd.

Mrs. Caswell was a medical transcriptionist at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Groton, CT for many years before her retirement.

Mrs. Caswell was a talented organist and pianist for more than 50 years. She played at Second Baptist Church, Open Door Baptist Church and Unity Baptist Church in North Stonington, Conn., for many years. She was the organist at her home church, North Stonington Baptist Church in North Stonington, Conn., before her passing. Besides music, she also enjoyed golf and making fleece blankets for family and friends.

Besides her husband, she will be sadly missed by her son, Barry L. Tyler of Uncasville, Conn.; and her stepchildren, Suzanne Blaisdell of Hopkinton, R.I., and Byron Caswell of Chandler, Ariz. She was the sister of Betty Byrd of Denver, Colo., and Sandra Edwards of Suffolk. She was the loving grandmother of three and the aunt of many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband, Norman Close.

A celebration of her life will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013, at Suffolk Christian Church, 121 N. Main Street, Suffolk.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Saints Alive, c/o Suffolk Christian Church, 121 N. Main Street, Suffolk, VA 23434.