Janice M. Cheever

West Roxbury - Forever in our hearts, Janice "Jan" M. Cheever of West Roxbury, passed on January 22, 2024, in her home, at the age of 81.

On April 5th, 1942, Jan was born to Eutimio and Mary Falcione in Boston, MA. Jan spent her childhood in Boston, in close proximity to her extended family. Family was everything to Jan as nearly every weekend was spent with her grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Some of her fondest memories included picnics and trips to the drive-in theater with her sister, Mary, and their cousins as well as summer vacation at Hanson's Farm.

Jan graduated from Roslindale High School in 1959, and married her childhood friend and soulmate, Tom Cheever on April 28, 1962.

After high school, Jan worked at Boston City Hospital until she and Tom started their family. They spent the early years of marriage living in Stoughton before moving to her parents' two-family home in Jamaica Plain, and then a few years later they purchased a home just around the corner on North Bourne Road. They had two children, Matt and Mindy, and they eventually built their dream home in West Roxbury, which was handicapped accessible to accommodate Mindy. A couple years later, Jan's husband passed away at the young age of 46.

Jan never had a driver's license, but after Tom passed, she had no choice but to learn to drive and get her license. Jan's ambition was to become a hairdresser, so she decided to go to school to make that a reality. Her first salon job was at Deveney's Salon in Roslindale Square. And when Deveney's Salon closed, Jan started cutting hair out of her home, where she worked until she retired.

Those who knew Jan know that Hull, Massachusetts, held a very special place in her heart. Her parents bought a beach house in Hull in May of 1969. Jan and her family spent their summers at the cottage along with her parents and sister Mary's family, where they made memories that would last a lifetime. Unfortunately, the cottage was demolished in the Blizzard of 1978. The following year, Jan's parents purchased another cottage up the hill on Maple Lane, and while it was never quite the same, Jan and her family were still able to enjoy several more summers at the beach.

Jan was kind, funny, and outgoing, and she had a special wit about her, often poking fun at the ones she loved most. She lit up every room she entered. She loved everyone exactly as they were, and she shared her heart and her home with all. Jan's friends and family knew they were always welcome, even if they showed up unannounced. Another thing Jan shared was her talent for knitting, gifting her creations to friends, family and even those she had never met. She will always be remembered for her warm smile, infectious laugh, and delicious cooking. Jan was the best mother, sister, nana, aunt, and friend, and her spirit and memory will live on in everyone whose life she touched.

Jan is survived by her beloved son and daughter, Matthew Cheever of Kingston, MA, and Melinda A. Cheever of Boston, MA; Matthew's wife, Laurel Cheever; three grandchildren, Thomas, David, and Erica Cheever; Thomas's wife, Cassandra Cheever, David's fiancé, Nicole Nunzio, and two great grandchildren Aiden and Madison Cheever.

Jan is also survived by her sister, Mary Duca of Scarborough, Maine, along with many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.

Jan is predeceased by her husband, Tom Cheever, and her parents Eutimio and Mary Falcione.

Visiting hours celebrating Jan's beautiful life will be held on February 3, 2024, from 1pm to 3pm at Brady & Fallon Funeral Home located at 10 Tower St., Boston, MA.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Boston Home (2049 Dorchester Ave, Boston, MA 02124), where Jan's daughter, Mindy, resides: https://www.thebostonhome.org/how-to-help/donate/

I will keep you in my heart until the day I see you again.