Josette Sassus Eynon, 91

January 23, 2026

Josette Sassus Eynon, age 91, passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 23, 2026 in Lititz, Pennsylvania.

Born on June 14, 1934 in Pau, France, Josette initially trained as social worker at the Centre de Formation Guyenne et Gascogne in Pau. She later became a substitute teacher and received training from the National Department for Education in France. Her first teaching roles were in small villages surrounding Pau, where she began what would be a lifelong commitment to education and languages.

After marrying and moving to the United States, Josette continued her teaching career, spending nearly 50 years teaching French and Spanish at Wooster School in Danbury, Connecticut. She was the school’s first female teacher and later became the Director of the Year Abroad programme in France and Spain, having in fact founded the programme in Spain. After retiring from Wooster School, she continued to share her love of languages as an adjunct professor at Western Connecticut State University.

One of Josette’s proudest achievements was being inducted as a Chevalier of the Ordre des Palmes Académiques by the French Ministry of Education in 1994, in recognition of her exceptional service in promoting the French language and culture. She also received a Masters degree in Spanish Literature from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut – earning an A+ on her thesis – while working full time and raising two children. Josette was also honoured to have served the Connecticut Council of Language Teachers (COLT) as Vice President and President.

Josette met Harold Korb Eynon, Jr. of Haddonfield, New Jersey in 1963 and they were married on March 19, 1964. After their marriage, she moved to Danbury, CT and joined Korb at Wooster School. Together they raised two children, Matthew Korb Eynon and Stephanie Eynon. Throughout their life together Josette, Korb and their children travelled to France every year to spend time with Josette’s family and lifelong friends.

In addition to her love of languages, Josette was an avid reader and lover of books, music, theater and movies. She was an active member of several book clubs and was also involved in church life first at St James Church Episcopal Church in Danbury and later at St Thomas Episcopal Church in Lancaster.

Above all, Josette loved her family and spending time with them both in the US and in France. She was a devoted wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, sister and aunt. She was also devoted to and cherished her many friends, both new and lifelong.

Josette is survived by her husband Korb, her children Matthew and Stephanie, her daughter-in-law Michele Ussery Eynon, her grandchildren Tayler Eynon and Samantha Eynon, her sister Françoise Miqueu, brother-in-law Jean-Paul Miqueu and nieces and nephews Linda Eynon, Nancy Roper, Didier Miqueu and Philippe Miqueu.

A private service will be held on February 7 at St Thomas Episcopal Church. A public celebration of Josette’s life will follow later in the year.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lititz Public Library, 651 Kissel Hill Road, Lititz, PA 17543, to support their ongoing commitment to community learning and enrichment or to Clare House, 342-344 East Chestnut Street, Lancaster, PA 17602, in support of their mission to provide shelter and hope to women and children in need.