Janet Catherine DiGregorio

A Life Well Lived: Janet DiGregorio

If we had to choose just a few words to describe how Janet DiGregorio lived her life, they would be

loving, giving, positive, and resilient.

Janet was born on May 15, 1939, in Medford, Massachusetts, to John B. Flynn and Catherine

(Beamish) Flynn. She grew up in a close-knit Irish-Catholic family with six siblings, forming bonds that

remained central to her life. Her early years-shaped in part by her father's service as a World War II

Fire Lieutenant-instilled in Janet a strong sense of independence, hard work, and self-reliance.

In 1958, Janet married William DiGregorio while he was serving in the United States Marine Corps.

Together they raised five children-Dean, Gary, David, Kim, and Todd-building their family life in

Brockton and later Hingham, Massachusetts. While raising her children, Janet pursued her lifelong

dream of becoming a nurse, earning her RN and later a Bachelor of Science degree. She dedicated her

career to caring for others as a school nurse, public health nurse in Brockton for 20 years, and later as

a case manager, retiring in 2003.

Janet embraced life with energy and curiosity. She loved walking, swimming, skiing, tennis, bridge, and

spending time outdoors. After many years in Cohasset, she enjoyed an active chapter in Florida filled

with pickleball, swimming, biking, and cherished visits with her children and grandchildren. In her later

years, she moved to Bend, Oregon, to be closer to her daughter, continuing her love of walking and

exploring new places.

Family was always Janet's greatest joy. She had an extraordinary gift for knowing what to say when

someone needed advice, comfort, or simply to be heard. She took pride in nurturing confidence,

kindness, and self-esteem in her children and grandchildren. Janet endured profound loss with the

deaths of her sons David and Todd, yet even through grief she demonstrated remarkable resilience,

positivity, and generosity of spirit.

Janet began showing signs of dementia at the age of 81. Over the next six years, although the disease

gradually limited her ability to communicate, her kind and grateful nature never faded. During this time,

Janet shared a close final chapter with her daughter Kim, navigating the challenges of dementia

together with patience, humor, and love, supported by family and compassionate caregivers. Even in

her final years, Janet expressed her care for others through smiles, gratitude, and a desire to make

those around her feel good.

Janet is lovingly remembered by her children Dean, Gary, and Kim; her grandchildren Michael, Kevin,

Anthony, Joe, Nick, Jackie, Madison, Colin, and Freddy; and her great-grandchildren Dominic, Bryson,

and Alex. She also cherished her daughters- and sons-in-law, including Zera and Barksdale.

Janet DiGregorio lived a life defined by love, service, strength, and generosity. Her legacy lives on in all

those who were fortunate enough to have been loved by her.