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Janet Hehir Obituary
Janet was born on April 16, 1953 in Newport, RI to the late Robert F. Scanlon and Kathleen A. McFarlane. She was a student in the second graduating class from Holy Family Diocesan High School in Huntington, NY, where she met her future husband, Brian. Janet graduated from Georgetown University School of Nursing in 1975, along with her devoted "R Street" friends, and worked at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, University Hospital in Boston in Surgical Oncology and Cancer Outreach, and numerous school settings.
Janet and Brian were married on August 23, 1975 at St. Philip Neri Church in Northport, NY and they raised their four children at their gracious home in Port Washington, NY. Many warm gatherings of family and friends were hosted by Janet and Brian throughout the years in their Port Washington home and in Kiawah, South Carolina.
Janet was deeply influenced by her Jesuit education and its teaching to be of service to others. She applied this teaching to her life by serving the needs of all those who crossed her path. Her wisdom when called upon to offer guidance was deep and enlightening.
Janet will always be remembered as finding the perfect gift for all occasions and wrapping them exquisitely with a thoughtful note on quality stationery in her penmanship. Her sewing needle created many special gifts of beauty and creativity. She enjoyed finding new recipes and preparing them to share with others. Her dry humor brought smiles to so many faces. She will be forever loved and missed.
In death as in life Janet wished to be of service to others. In accordance with her intentions, Janet donated her body to the Georgetown University School of Medicine for the training of future medical professionals.
A Requiem Mass for the family will be celebrated on September 14, 2024 at noon at St. Thomas Apostle Catholic Church, 2665 Woodley Rd NW, Washington, DC 20008. The mass will be live-streamed at https://www.facebook.com/stthomasapostleparish/.
A Celebration of Life event will be held in New York at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, we would ask that you consider a future donation in Janet's name, details of which will be provided at the Celebration of Life event.
42 Entries
Susie
April 16, 2025
Happy Heavenly Birthday my dear friend
Theresa Arora
April 13, 2025
Janet was a great mother who took care of her 4 kids. May she rest in peace
Tony Wolf
October 2, 2024
Brian. I am extremely sorry for your loss. Regrettably I have been thru the same dark road. I will pray for you.
How you can show support
Brian Crowley
October 2, 2024
Brian- Many years ago, at some Harvard event in Cambridge, I met Janet for the first and only time. She was most engaging, clearly not someone one forgets. I certainly didn't. I am so sorry for your loss. Brian Crowley
Mark E Scott
October 1, 2024
Brian, I am so sorry for your loss. God bless you buddy.
Scotty
Bernard R Bach Jr MD
October 1, 2024
Brian, I just learned of Janet´s passing. I knew that she had been fighting cancer. After reading the obituary I learned so much about this wonderful gracious woman. I believe I only met Janet once when you were at HBS years ago. I regret that our lives did not cross more frequently as my sense is that she made everyone she encountered a better person. My heart goes out to you and your family. Bernie Bach´75
Maryann and Philip Ressa
September 20, 2024
We are so sorry and shocked to hear of Janet´s passing... always admired she and Brian and their beautiful family... Colleen was our 1st babysitter for our children and she would bring special puppets of hers for our children to play with... my girls still speak about that and how much they enjoyed that. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to all of her family
Maryann and Philip Ressa - PW
Robert & Mary Schiemel & Family
September 20, 2024
Janet was always the person who somehow did it all and made it look effortless. As "Mrs. Hehir" she was always a special figure to all the girls who were friends with her daughters - a model of grace, always ready to listen and "be there" when it mattered most. As "Janet" she was a good friend with a heart and soul that radiated like a warm summer's day.
Jean-Therese Carrigy Karpowich
September 18, 2024
I last saw my cousin Janet this past January 2024 at our uncle's funeral mass. I wanted to say hello and briefly catch up but I could see she was very tired and in great pain and i decided not to bother her but let her know through her sisters. The last time i spoke with Janet was at my Dad's funeral back in 2010.
How the years go by and then we only seem to see each other now at funerals. But being that she was about 9 years older than me, i didn't really talk much with her growing up. She always seemed so grown up, gracious and beautiful. I still remember her wedding to Brian and the reception being held in the Northport, Long Island home's back yard.
Anyway....my sincere condolences to Brian and all the family. It's been very hard for them, I know. But now Janet feels no pain, only love and peace in the embrace of Our Lord.
I just ask God for strength for Brian's family at this most difficult time, as well as for Janet's brother, Bob, and sisters Kathleen and Anne.
Tom Harris
September 17, 2024
What a wonderful tribute to a special lady. So sorry to learn of Janet´s death. Find comfort in those memories and hold the family close. Peace be with you, Brian.
Tom and Pat Harris
Jim Beslity
September 17, 2024
Brian,
Sandy and I are very sorry to learn of the sad new of Janet's passing. Our deepest condolences to your family and you.
Sandy and Jim
Charles Trunz
September 16, 2024
Brian and family. I recently received the sad news of Janet´s passing. There are so many wonderful memories I have of Janet, yourself and your children. As you know I met Janet at Georgetown in 1971 and then we reconnected at Plandome a few years later
Janet was always gracious, kind, caring and enjoyable to be with. I always admired your family, and your amazing relationship. We attended your 25 wedding anniversary celebration
Janet will be missed, and always remembered as a lovely person, mother, friend and wife. There is no finer person than Janet
With sympathy. Chuck
Mike Page
September 15, 2024
So very sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Theresa Arora
September 15, 2024
When I count my blessings this is the biggest blessing on me, which was working for Janet and Brian. She was very, kind, and generous and like I was always at home even though I was very far away from mine; I always felt apart of the family.
She will always be with me and in my memories. Rest in Peace, Janet.
Larry Spagnola
September 14, 2024
Janet will be in my prayers from this day forward. With love and respect, Larry Spagnola
John and Joby Murphy
September 14, 2024
Brian,
Sending our thoughts and prayers to your family and you.
Sincerely,
John and Joby Murphy
Patti and Stan Plominski
September 14, 2024
Beginning years ago when our boys were 3 years old (now 40) we met Janet and our friendship and love grew from there. She was one of a kind and we will miss her dearly.
Colleen & Don Hickey
September 12, 2024
We met Janet & the Hehir Family at Chaminade HS when our sons became instant friends at 3-C Week. During those years we enjoyed sporting events, school functions & many group dinners. Janet was always a lovely lady with a beautiful smile & a hardy laugh who has left an amazing legacy. It is difficult to convey our sense of loss with her passing. Our thoughts & prayers are with all of you as you navigate this time of grief. Rest in peace, Janet. Colleen & Don Hickey
Debbie Reid-Hatton
September 12, 2024
Janet was great and let me off the hook the time we were at Aunt Rita's house and I asked her what time her bridal shower was!! (It was my first one and I didn't know they were a surprise!)
Cousin Debbie Reid-Hatton
Stephanie Rich
September 12, 2024
Janet's four children and mine overlapped in a number of activities while all were growing up and going to school here. Her reputation as a loving mother was well known. After the kids grew up, in later years she joined our local book club, and she was a lively member while she could join us there, which was for just a few years.
We will miss you Janet! Rest in peace.
Albert J. Fornace Jr.
September 12, 2024
Dear Brian and others,
Janet was a fantastic person and showed tremendous courage during her long illness. My condolences to you and your family.
Al and Arlene
Tim McFarlane
September 12, 2024
Discussions of the pros and cons in playing the music of J.S. Bach.
mary Ryan
September 12, 2024
Janet will live in my memory and my heart forever! I'll aways remember all our "Opus" trips together as well as the fun times we had in Santa Barbara at a Merrill outing back in "95-6, such fun shopping together. Forever in my heart.
Mary
Bill Cessato
September 12, 2024
Mrs. Hehir was a truly wonderful person - so kind and with a great sense of humor. I'm incredibly grateful I had the opportunity to meet her during her visits to Georgetown's campus, and I will be keeping her and the Hehir family in my prayers. I am sending my sincere sympathy to the family.
Stacey Schulz McDevitt
September 12, 2024
Janet was a beautiful woman both inside and out. Her generosity and thoughtfulness is what I will always remember. She made me feel so welcome in this Hehir family and included me in so many family events that I am forever grateful for. She was an amazing cook and I fondly remember her baking bread and being very impressed before I even became a chef. She threw great parties and was a gracious host. She would always ask how my kids were doing and was extremely thoughtful. She treated me like a Hehir sibling ever since I lived at 50 Polk and I will never forget that. Hold your memories close to your hearts. She is with us always. love cousin Stacey
Family
September 12, 2024
Janet having fun and relaxing this summer with her grandchildren Charlie, Madeline, Catherine and on the other couch Elizabeth and Cookie (the dog).
Marianne Flood
September 11, 2024
Janet was an amazing friend and driver while we were in college. She was dating Brian and I was dating John Flood, both on the Harvard football team. Janet drove me to all
The away games and we had a blast together. She was kind, funny, and an incredibly smart nurse. Our condolences to the entire Hehir family.
Dena Shapiro
September 11, 2024
I know Jacqueline Hehir and can only imagine what an amazing woman Janet must have been to raise such and incredible young lady. Sending my deepest condolences to the family.
David Long
September 11, 2024
I'll always remember how Janet (Mrs. Hehir to me) made her home the most warm and inviting place you could imagine for me and the rest of Brian's friends. She filled the house with the kind of love that made you feel welcomed and happy as soon as you walked in the door.
She was a kind, wonderful person and I'm grateful to have known her.
Tom and Linda Davis
September 11, 2024
We have been close friends with Brian and Janet for over 40 years. The memories are many - travel to Ireland, Hawaii and many other locations; many weeks of family fun in Kiawah; and just hanging out together. Janet was a beautiful, caring and loving person that will be greatly missed by all who were blessed to have known her.
Tom and Linda Davis
Amanda Otte
September 11, 2024
I will always remember how Janet cut Jackie's grapes in half when packing her lunch in high school.
Mary and Brian Hayes
September 11, 2024
Brian and I met Janet and Brian over 40 years ago at a Georgetown Chimes event at Plandome Country Club. We clicked immediately over children, schools, our love of decorating, shopping, and most of all, our families! We have cherished our friendship through the many stages of life! Janet became our only daughter´s godmother. Janet was so thoughtful, smart and fun!
Susan Metzger
September 11, 2024
We will never say goodbye to each other; we were meant to be friends forever. You will always be in my heart. Rest in peace.
Susie
September 11, 2024
Janet has been on of my closest friends for 52 years. As part of the R street group, we have shared countless memories, as we raised our families together , and only getting closer as time went on. She´s been an inspiration to me in so many ways. Our friendship will never die. It will go on forever. I love you Janet. Always have. Always will
Cyndy Kraft Fine
September 11, 2024
I remember Janet as a fun loving, kind and caring person. I am sure that she contributed much to her community and family and will be missed by many.
Rest in Peace, Janet. Your work on earth is done.
Tim Ryan
September 11, 2024
I´ll always remember how "Mrs. Hehir" would actually listen to me as a kid and ask me questions that she actually wanted to know the answers to. As a kid, having a non-parent adult listen like that always made me feel special. As I grew up, Janet still asked me real questions and then I got to see and understand her dry/sharp sense of humor. Love you Janet, and sending love to the entire Hehir family.
Kalie Dove-Maguire
September 11, 2024
Janet gave my daughter her first jewelry set-pink heart necklace and bracelet, which she proudly wore as only a 2 year old can. Janet is the most thoughtful person and her love will be felt forever.
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