Southbridge - Janet (Stillman) Whitney, of Southbridge, passed away peacefully on April 5, after a brief illness. She was predeceased by her husband of 51 years, Donald Whitney, who passed away in 1998.

She has two children, Susan (Whitney) Koenig, and her husband, Dr. C. Scott Koenig, and Richard Whitney, and his wife, Peg Whitney, all of Southbridge. Jan’s four grandchildren are Samantha (Giovanello) Bechta, and her husband, Adam, of Willington, Ct, Enrico Giovanello, Christopher Whitney, and Erica Whitney, all of Southbridge.  Jan’s three great grandchildren are Tyler, Jake, and Ross Bechta. Jan was born in Buffalo, NY, the daughter of the late Harold L. and Mary (Blake) Stillman. She was predeceased by her brother, Donald.

The family moved to Saco, Maine during the depression to live with her grandparents. She subsequently moved to Newtonville, MA, where she grew up, and met and married her husband. Shortly after their marriage, she and Don bought a house in Southbridge where she still resided. Jan loved people and was a very warm and loving person who enjoyed her family and friends.

In the late 1950’s, Jan was the storybook lady at WESO radio station, and volunteered for many local organizations such as Elm St. Congregational Church Women’s Fellowship, Harrington Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, Reach to Recovery which was an organization for breast cancer survivors, and other local groups.

Jan also transported Seaver Rice around town for several years prior to his death in the late 1980s. She loved swimming at the YMCA, and especially the ocean and rocks at Fortunes Rocks, Maine. She would often be seen at Art’s Variety or other local coffee shops, and frequented many local restaurants with her family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Harrington Hospital Women’s Auxiliary, 100 South Street, Southbridge, MA.

  Her Funeral  Service will be held at 2 PM on Monday, April 11th, at the Elm Street Congregational Church, Elm St., Southbridge. 

 Calling Hours will be held from 5:00 – 8:00PM, Sunday, April 10th in the Belanger-Bullard Funeral Home, 51 Marcy Street, Southbridge.

 A private burial service will be held at a later date. 

Plaese click on the link below for Jane's Video Tribute

http://memorial.yourtribute.com/Janet%2DWhitney/