Janet S. Flynn

Janet Stoughton Flynn, a beloved friend and cherished member of the West Springfield community, passed away peacefully on August 7, 2025, at the age of 93. Born in South Amherst, Massachusetts, Janet was the daughter of Henry Lee and Arline (Manning) Stoughton. She was predeceased by her husband, Stephen “Steve” R. Flynn; her parents; and her brother, James M. Stoughton (Patricia). A proud graduate of Amherst High School, Janet earned her degree in Home Economics from Framingham State College. She began her career at the Clarke School for the Deaf and later worked briefly for Stouffer’s in New York City.  Janet returned to Massachusetts, where she married the love of her life, Steve. In 1974, they made their home in West Springfield, where they shared many happy years together, surrounded by wonderful friends and neighbors. She taught Culinary Arts at Putnam Vocational High School in Springfield and treasured her relationships with her students. Janet was a wonderful cook of traditional Yankee recipes, who delighted in sharing her table with friends and family. She loved to travel and was a communicant of the First Congregational Church of West Springfield. Proud of her family heritage, Janet was also a descendant of Governor William Stoughton of Massachusetts, well known for his role in the Salem Witch Trials — a connection she embraced as part of her family’s long and colorful history in the Commonwealth. She will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by her close friends from West Springfield, the Morrissey family, Vincent Rizzo and Denyse Couture, who lovingly cared for her for many years. A short service will be held at Curran Jones Funeral Home in West Springfield on Tues 10 AM with burial following at Green River Cemetery in Greenfield, MA.