NORTHAMPTON, MA – Janet R. Cleary passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 16, 2026, with her sister Rita Douville by her side. Janet lived a long and full 98 years. She was the oldest daughter in a family of five. A lifelong Northampton resident, she was born November 3, 1927, to the late Wyman and Regina (Gougeon) Aldrich. She was educated in Northampton schools and was a graduate of the former St. Michael’s High School. Janet was a hard worker (an Aldrich trait). She worked at Pro Brush after high school and then had a long work career at Smith College. She retired from Smith College, having worked there for over 25 years in the comptroller’s office, forming longtime friendships with her work colleagues.
Janet was a humble, quiet and steady person. She appreciated her many blessings over the years. She was proud of her home and enjoyed her time at her home. Her home was always well kept and her lawn and gardens manicured and well clipped. She enjoyed her time with her family and gatherings with her siblings and her nieces and nephews. Before its closing, she was a longtime communicant of Blessed Sacrament Church in Northampton.
Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husband Donald Cleary. She was also predeceased by her brother, Leonard Aldrich and her sister Joyce Elliott. Janet leaves her sisters Rita Douville of Northampton and Claire Diemand of Florence and several nieces and nephews. Although Janet’s failing health forced her to leave her beloved home and spend her last few years at CareOne of Northampton, she shared a room with her sister Rita those several years which gave her time there much brightness and uplift. Janet was well liked by the staff, who enjoyed her sometimes spunk, as Janet did yearn for her old independence which they understood.
The family would like to thank the CareOne staff and Ascend Hospice. All tended to Janet with much care, compassion and concern for her time there and in her final days and gave her a peaceful transition from this life.
There will be a calling hour at AHEARN FUNERAL HOME, 783 Bridge Rd., Northampton, on Friday morning, May 22, 2026, from 10:00 to 11:00 A.M. Funeral Services for Janet will immediately follow at the Funeral Home at 11:00. A.M. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Northampton.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your favorite charity or consider the ASCPA, gift processing center, P.O. Box 96929, Washington, DC 20090-6929, or ASCPA.org. as Janet was a lifelong dog owner.
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