Janet M. Fitzpatrick

It is with deep sadness that we share the loss of Janet M. Fitzpatrick. Funeral mass will be on Tuesday April 1st, 2025, at St Joseph's Church at 11:00am with Livestream available for those who are not available to attend.
https://www.stjoekp.com/pray-worship/livestreams
Janet O'Neill-Fitzpatrick was born February 6, 1959, in Queens. She was the youngest daughter of Patrick O'Neill and Janet Miller-O'Neill. Her father Patrick, died when she was just five months old. Her Mom (Janet) married Hugh P. Smith of Kings Park, and added two more children to the clan. Our sister Janet is one of ten children in the Smith O'Neill household. Her name, like the two other Janets before her, is derived from a Scottish name of Janeth, the British reduced the name to Janet. A shout out here for the O'Neill/Smith Clan.
Janet Graduated from Kings Park High School in 1977, where she proudly carried the title of "Class Clown" for the rest of her life! She attended Wilson Tech where she took Cosmetology and learned to cut hair. But her true love was found in Plants, and that is when she was hired by the Town of Smithtown.
Janet worked for many years for the Town of Smithtown, in the Greenhouse. It was here that Janet found her Niche in life. She loved flowers. She loved planting, getting her hands dirty, making cuttings for new growth and finally seeing the fruits of her labors as the flowers started to bloom. She was tasked to plant flowers along main street hanging baskets, the large garden in front of the greenhouse on 25A and at the feet of the Bull in Smithtown. Janet planted a field of flowers under its tarnished green side and wished she could stuff another plant or 2 in its path. When finished you could not tell where Janet finished and where the Bull stood, the gardens for the Town of Smithtown were lovingly cared for by Janet and her "green" thumb.
Living in Florida for the past 35 years, Janet enjoyed the outdoors, swimming in the ocean and gardening, until her husband Sean Fitzpatrick passed on November 8, 2023. The decision was made to bring Janet back to Long Island, to be close to family due to struggles with health issues which made it necessary to find a home for her in Amber Court in Nesconset. It was at Amber court, that Janet once again "found herself" and was able to enjoy a new life. It was there that Janet became the "light and youth" of the residents. She would frequently go outside to "weed" the gardens, and talk to the landscapers about the plants that surrounded the building. She would help people who were less ambulatory than her, getting them coffee, or just sit and talk to them. Janet got to know everyone, the people, the employees, the ice cream man! She made bracelets, which she gave proudly as gifts to everyone. She created latch hooks, she loved to paint and do anything "crafty" and most of all, she was amazed that there were people who lived there who were 105 years old! She leaves a gaping hole in her last home. Everyone of the residents knew who she was, and if they didn't, you only had to say, "The girl with the Hat!"
Janet leaves behind a large Family of Brothers, Sisters, 15 nieces & nephews and 23 Grand-nieces & nephews, from Long Island and across the country. Patrick O'Neill & his wife Johanna (Delaware), Tim O'Neill & his wife Dorothy of Port Jeff, the late Joseph O'Neill, KP, the late Anne O'Neill, Brian O'Neill & his wife Karen of KP, Peggy O'Neill-Gilmartin (the late John Gilmartin) of KP, Kevin O'Neill in Arizona, Tom Smith & his wife Donna of KP and Joanne Smith-Leonardi & her husband Chris of KP.
Please consider donating to Visiting Nurse Service Hospice House, where she received a dignified and peaceful end to her life. Please indicate that it is for the Hospice House, In Memory of Janet M. Fitzpatrick.
VNSHS
505 Main Street
Northport, NY 11768