Janice M. Cody

MONTPELIER - Janice Mary Cody, 86, died peacefully April 5, 2012, at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born Aug. 20, 1925, in Colchester, the only child of Arthur and Constance (Corley) Bacon.

Her early education was in Burlington. In 1939, the family moved to Montpelier where she graduated from St. Michael's High School. Jan attended Trinity College in Burlington. She returned to Montpelier and worked at National Life Insurance Co.

Jan married Robert Clinton Cody, her high school sweetheart, on Oct. 28, 1947, at St. Augustine Church. They lived their entire married life on Elm Street in Montpelier until his death March 6, 2011. Anyone who met them knew theirs was truly a love made in heaven. A devoted wife, loving mother of seven, and caring "Nana" of 15 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, she was a role model to her cherished family and extended family. Jan had a positive approach to life that was infectious. She made everyone feel special and supported her children with unconditional love.

A member of St. Augustine's parish, she served in many capacities for St. Michael's School and various other committees.

Jan believed in community service and was committed to development of Vermont's youth. She was on the board of the Hugh O'Brien Youth Organization, Mothers' Club, Girl Scouts Council, Wood Art Gallery, Montpelier War Memorial Committee and National Federation of Women's Clubs, serving both as a state and national leader.

She was especially proud of her service to Central Vermont Medical Center. She volunteered in many roles for the Central Vermont Medical Center Auxiliary serving two terms as president and treasurer for many years. She was one of the founding members of the CVH 200 Club. Jan had a natural gift for bringing people of disparate viewpoints together for the common good of the community. She played a key role in the merger of Heaton Hospital and Barre City Hospital. She retired from the CVMC board of trustees in 2007, serving for over 30 years.

Though an only child, Jan embraced Bob's large family and worked alongside her husband in the Cody family's many enterprises. She and Bob owned Cody Chevrolet-Cadillac where Jan served as its vice president.

She loved music - she played the piano and the cello, she loved to dance, the house was always filled with the big band sounds, Frank Sinatra (her favorite), Elvis, the Beatles and on through the generations - often buying the newest hits before her grandchildren. Jan instilled her love of reading in her children and grandchildren.

Jan had many interests, but none more important than her family and community of Montpelier. She supported and guided her children and grandchildren with her grace and humor through the years.

Janice leaves her seven children, Diane M. Patno and her husband, William, of Montpelier, Gen. (Ret.) Richard A. Cody and his wife, Vicki, of McLean, Va., William P. Cody and his wife, Paula, of Montpelier, Cathi A. Cody-Hudson and her husband, Peter, of Burlington, Robin C. Nicholson and her husband, Mark, of Barre, Robert C. Cody II and his wife, Dena, of Montpelier, and Lauri A. Cody and her husband, Carl, of Attleboro, Mass. She also leaves her 15 grandchildren: William Patno II, Robert Scott Patno, Cody Patno, Maj. Clinton Cody, Maj. Tyler Cody, Maj. Jason Cody, Maj. R. Todd Cody, Capt. (Dr.) John Cody, Stephanie Cody, Christopher Hudson, Colin Hudson, Robert Cody III, Carson Cody, Hanna Fritz and Nicholas Fritz, as well as her seven great-grandchildren: W. Cole Patno, Jadyn Patno, Eli Patno, Austin Cody, Zachary Cody, Lukas Patno and Connor Cody. Jan also leaves her cousins Dr. Denton MacCarty and his wife, Jackie, and Edward Langley and his wife, Karlene, the Cody family - Rayden J. Cody and his wife, Ann, Conrad M. Cody and his wife, Bettie, Donald M. Cody and his wife, Yolande, Mary C. Bashara and her husband, Frederick, as well as many nieces, nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews, who will miss her beautiful smile and generous hugs. Besides her husband, she is predeceased by her parents, Arthur and Constance Bacon, and Bob's parents, Richard and Lillian Cody.

Her gracious manners, gentle demeanor and determined strength never faltered and remained with her through to the end.

Visitation hours will be held Saturday, April 7, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Guare & Sons Funeral Home. The funeral Mass will be held Monday, April 9, at 11 a.m. at St. Augustine Church in Montpelier.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to: Central Vermont Medical Center, P.O. Box 547, Barre, VT 05641.

Those wishing to express online condolences may do so at www.guareandsons.com.