Janet L. Michaelsen

Michaelsen, Janet L. Janet L. Michaelsen passed away peacefully on the morning of December 20. Her death follows that of her late-husband, the Rev. Richard Michaelsen, six months prior. Janet is survived by her four children and their families, including: Craig and Barbara Michaelsen, Beverly Michaelsen, Keith and Janet Gregorian-Michaelsen, and Lorraine and Robert DeCrescenzo, as well as grandchildren Kaiya, Mackenzie, Juliet, Rigby, Samuel, Rebecca, Haley, Thomas, Sofia and Gustaf. Born on May 26, 1933, in West Hempstead, N.Y., Janet was the daughter of Lillian and George Rigby. An accomplished violinist, she played with her high school orchestra at Carnegie Hall. She married her high school sweetheart on June 5, 1954, moved with him to Rhode Island and then to Winsted, where they lived for more than 30 years. In addition to raising four children, she participated in many church activities, engaged in creative hobbies, read widely, and returned to school to receive her Associates Degree in Library Science. She then worked as the children's librarian at Beardsley Memorial Library and then, for many years, at the Southwest Elementary School in Torrington. Her loving spirit touched all who knew her throughout her life, even in her last days as she transcended the limitations which Alzheimer's disease had placed upon her. A candlelight memorial service will be held on Friday, December 26 at 4 p.m. at the First Church of Winsted. There will be no calling hours. To honor her memory, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Reverend Richard and Janet Michaelsen Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o the Board of Christian Education, First Church of Winsted, 95 Park Place, Winsted, CT 06098.