Janet A. Phinney

ORANGE- Janet Ann (LaFountain) Phinney, 77, of Orange, passed away Tuesday morning, October 24, 2023, after a long battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her husband of 38 years, her three children, and one of her nieces. Janet was born in Clinton, MA on January 28, 1946, daughter of the late Alexander and Rita (Shea) LaFountain and was pre-deceased by her brother Joseph LaFountain and sister Maryann Moore. She grew up in Clinton graduating from Clinton High School in 1963. She was a stay-at-home Mom before beginning her career at Nypro, Inc. and retired after working hard for 30 plus years. Janet will be missed by all the lives she has touched. She will always be remembered for her uncanny ability to locate, pre-GPS, where her kids were. Especially with her youngest, Kenny, which could be best described in the lyrics from the fittingly titled song “Mother” by Pink Floyd which are “Mama’s gonna wait up till you come in, Mama will always find out where you’ve been”. Which seemed to be written about him and the many times he took off with his friends without telling her. Then, sure enough, she found him, and he was in trouble again. There are card sharks and pool hustlers, but Janet was the Skee Ball wiz. You learned quickly not to get lured into a Skee Ball challenge with her at the beach. Janet enjoyed crocheting hats, mittens, and slippers. She loved seeing others wear her creations. She also enjoyed country music as well as going to the beaches at Hampton NH, or Old Orchard ME and camping at Salisbury beach. Janet was a very giving person who put her needs before herself. She had a huge heart and made sure you knew you were loved every chance she had. She was known to be a strong-minded person who said it as she saw it and there was no changing her mind. This may have been interpreted as stubborn in nature, but her heart was always in the right place. She was caring and compassionate and wore her heart on her sleeve. She would become a friend to anyone she met. To know her was to love her. She leaves her husband Robert F. Phinney of Orange, her two sons, Robert Kohlstrom Jr. and his wife Sherri of Orange, Kenneth Kohlstrom and Tracy Casavecchia of Lunenburg, her daughter Carol Kohlstrom and Ernie Couture of Baldwinville, stepdaughter Shannon Phinney of Leominster, stepson Robert Phinney Jr. of Sterling, nine grandchildren, a great-granddaughter, and many nephews and nieces. The family would like to extend their appreciation to all the caregivers at Athol Memorial Hospital for the attention, care, and comfort they provided. Janet was a humble person who wasn’t comfortable with being the center of attention. Per her wishes, there will be no calling hours, however, for all that knew and loved Janet there will be a graveside service to be held at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Pepperell on Tuesday, November 14 at 10AM. All are welcome to come to the service. The Anderson Funeral Home, 25 Fitchburg Rd., is assisting the family with the funeral arrangements. www.andersonfuneral.com In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to your local animal shelter in her memory.

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Janet A. Phinney

January 28, 1946 - October 24, 2023