Maryjan “Jan” Wydra ’73

Maryjan “Jan” Wydra ’73 of Wells, Maine, died on Wednesday, July 19, 2017. at home in the loving care of his family after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 71.

Jan was born May 12, 1946 in Germany, the son of Jan and Else (Recht) Wydra. His family immigrated to the United States when Jan was five years old. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Hope College in Holland, MI and his master’s degree from the University of Southern Maine. Jan also proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War.

Jan was an English teacher at Kennebunk High School, Traip Academy and Wells High School. On December 20, 1997, Jan married Holly Jean Kelly. Jan loved his family, and enjoyed spending time and playing golf with his close friends. He was very talented artistically and enjoyed woodworking, ceramics, and created beautiful jewelry through silversmithing.

He took great pride in his home and yard and spent a great deal of time maintaining both. He was a member of the Kennebunk Fish and Game Club and loved watching classic movies and reading literature. Outside of the Wells High classroom Jan could be found on the football field as a coach and mentor for many of his students.

He was predeceased by his sister, Susan Wydra. Jan is lovingly remembered by his wife, Holly; his daughters, Kairsten Wydra and her husband, Mark D’Ascenzo of Seattle, WA and Kathleen Kelly of Scottsdale, AZ; his sons, Justin Wydra and his wife, Jenna, of Colchester, VT and Skip Kelly and his wife, Carolyn, of Andover, MA; his six grandchildren, Atlas, Mabel, Summer, Maeve, Finn and Johann; and his loyal Labrador Retriever, Sammie. Following Jan’s wishes there will be no services. Should friends desire, memorial donations may be made to: Andrew L. Warshaw, MD Institute for Pancreatic Cancer Research BUL370C 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02144 Tel: 617-726-8254

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