Janet F. (Kirley) Grant, age 79, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 10, 2019 at the Season’s Hospice Inpatient Center in Milton. Born in Staten Island, New York on July 6, 1939, she was the daughter of the late Francis Kirley and Blanche (Kuhrt) Kirley. She was raised in West Roxbury, Massachusetts, and graduated from Roslindale High School with the Class of 1957.
Janet continued her education at the Boston State Teacher’s College, earning her bachelor’s degree in 1961. Following graduation, she worked as a second grade teacher at the James Humphrey School in Weymouth. During her college years, Janet reconnected with a long-time friend and her future husband, Charles L. “Chick” Grant, Jr. The two were married in Boston on November 10, 1962, alongside Janet’s identical twin sister Jane B. (Kirley) McNeil and her husband Russell K. McNeil, Chick’s lifelong friend.
The two couples shared a church, ceremony, and reception as part of their ‘double-wedding’. Over the following six years, Janet and Chick spent time living in Georgia, California and New York before finally settling down in East Walpole in 1969 to raise their family. Janet resumed teaching in Walpole, starting as a substitute teacher for the Public School System.
She took a full time position at Walpole West Junior High School teaching the sixth grade, where she stayed until she accepted a position at the Pollard Middle School in Needham, where she taught social studies for many years until her retirement in 2000. During the winter months, beginning in 2000, home for Janet and Chick was in Bonita Springs, Florida. Janet was a member of the local Red Hat Society for fifteen years.
She and Chick were accomplished travelers, visiting Germany, France, and, more locally, the Florida Keys, where they always had a wonderful time with her friends. Janet was a member of the choir at the Union Congregational Church from 1974-2000. In her spare time, Janet was an avid reader as well as an accomplished, self-taught seamstress.
She and Chick enjoyed cross-country skiing and spending time at their vacation house in Freedom, New Hampshire. Nothing brought more joy to Janet than time spent with her family. She enjoyed the wonderful tradition of taking her grandchildren to Storyland every summer in New Hampshire and spending time with them on Ossipee Lake.
Janet loved attending as many of her grandchildren’s sports games as possible. She was deeply loved by her friends and family, and will be greatly missed. Beloved wife of Charles L. “Chick” Grant.
Loving mother of Charles “Chuck” F. Grant and his wife Joanne (Anderson) of Norfolk, and Karen L. (Grant) Misra and her husband Tushar of Norfolk. Cherished grandmother of Eshan Misra, Asha Misra, Nitesh Misra, Chaya Misra, Kiran Misra, Charles “Charlie” Grant and Lainey Grant. Twin Sister of the late Jane B. (Kirley) McNeil and Sister-in-law of the late Russell K. McNeil of Walpole.
Sister-in-law of Roberta (Grant) Kirby and her husband, Billy Kirby of Parkman, Maine. Also survived by her nieces and nephews, Nancy McNeil Dunlap and husband Scott of North Attleboro, Robert McNeil and wife Barbara of Taunton, William McNeil and wife Jennie of Bridgewater, and Jennifer McNeil of Walpole. She will also be missed by many dear and loving grandnieces and grandnephews.
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Janet’s Life Celebration on Wednesday, May 15, 2019 from 4:00 to 8:00PM at the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole MA. A funeral service will be held the following morning at 11:00AM at the Union Congregational Church, 55 Rhoades Ave, East Walpole, MA. Interment will follow at The Gardens at Gethsemane Cemetery in West Roxbury.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Union Congregational Church, 56 Rhodes Ave, East Walpole, MA 02032.
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