Janie Chase Cozzi, 15, passed away on October 8, 2016, alongside four of her hometown friends in a tragic car accident.
Janie was born at home in Waitsfield, Vermont, on November 2, 2000, to Erin Chase of Fayston, Vermont, and Peter Cozzi.
Janie was a sophomore at Kimball Union Academy (KUA) in Meriden, New Hampshire. KUA was her home away from home where she flourished, developing into a confident young woman.
As a freshman she joined the varsity soccer team and gained yet another family who will forever #playforjanie. She was known for her unfailing positive attitude on the field and off along with her speed and defensive skills. Janie’s love of soccer came from her involvement with Mad River Valley Soccer, Vermont Elite Futbol Club and Capital Soccer Club, where she made lifelong bonds with coaches and teammates.
As a student Janie was conscientious, a collaborator and kind to her peers. She was not afraid of challenges and was never one to give up. Janie was a counselor for the KUA Girls Leadership Camp where she gave love and confidence to the young girls she mentored. She loved many young children in her life. She babysat, coached soccer and enjoyed just hanging out with the youth in her hometown. Her true love though was for her brothers. She adored her brothers, Oliver (12), Ryder (3) and Aksel who passed away unexpectedly on October 4, 2012, soon after his birth. Janie always carried Aksel’s spirit with her and now they lie together. No one will ever forget Janie’s smile which lit up a room. She will be remembered as a fierce young woman with a vibrancy for life. Janie has a magical soul that yearned to connect and now has connected the people she left behind.
Janie’s spirit will be forever held up by her mother, Erin Chase; her stepfather, Alex Hilton; and brothers, Oliver Cozzi and Ryder Hilton.
She is survived by many aunts, uncles and cousins in Vermont, West Virginia and Connecticut; grandparents, Chip Chase and Laurie Little of Canaan Valley, West Virginia, Deb and Dick Hall of Waitsfield, Vermont, and Ruth Cozzi of Madison, Connecticut; and her great-step-grandmother, Caroline Chase of Alexandria, Virginia.
Perkins-Parker Funeral Home assisted in Janie and Aksel’s burial on Saturday, October 15, at the Waitsfield Village Cemetery.
Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.perkinsparker.com. If donations are to be made, please do so in Janie’s name to Kimball Union Academy, P.O. Box 361, Meriden, NH 03770.
On October 21 at 5:30 p.m., the Kimball Union Academy girls’ varsity soccer team will honor Janie and play under the lights against Proctor Academy, followed by a brief remembrance, at Pope Field, Kimball Union Academy in Meriden, New Hampshire. All are welcome.
In addition, on October 27 at 3 p.m. there will be a gathering for all friends and family to honor Janie and her fierce spirit at Gate House Lodge, Sugarbush Resort in Warren, Vermont.
