Janet Gannon

1930 - 2024

Janet Gannon
Janet Gannon, longtime Norwalk CT resident, passed away peacefully at her son Rob and wife Tara's home on Cape Cod, MA on July 6, 2024 at the age of 94.
A lifelong Connecticut resident except for a one-year foray to CA at the age of seven, Janet was born in Manchester. She attended a two-room schoolhouse, with an eighth grade graduating class of 13. She graduated from Windham HS while living in Andover and enrolled in UCONN in 1948 as a rare female Marketing Major. She was all in on everything she ever did, pledging Kappa Alpha Theta where she formed lifelong ties, leading the UCONN cheerleading squad, joining the archery team, and meeting her husband Bob, a newly minted WWII vet and UCONN classmate, in her sophomore year on an underwhelming blind date. Bob was persistent, and won her over. They were married for 70 years until his death at home in 2021.
A member of the Greatest Generation, Janet fulfilled the role of Post WWII mother and homemaker, at first taxiing Bob to the Darien train station daily in their only car for his commute to NYC. The family grew rapidly with Carol, followed two years later by Lois, and three years afterward, Robert, Jr. Predating helicopter parenting, Janet was actively engaged in her children's lives. She knew all their friends, formed a "fun club" for preschoolers in the newly built Flower Estates neighborhood in West Norwalk where young families settled in 1958 with nearly identically aged children, all attending newly opened Fox Run Elementary School. Janet enthusiastically participated in her children's lives–volunteering as a chaperone on every field trip, forming and leading an active girl scout troop, and ferrying all three children to violin, piano and trumpet lessons. Breakfast and dinner were family affairs daily. The young parents in the neighborhood took turns hosting each other for bridge and dinner. Janet was known for her elaborate themed dinner parties.
She was a do-it-yourself person, sewing clothes for herself and her children including coats, jackets, and dresses; she also reupholstered her own furniture. She painted and framed pictures for the house that depicted LI Sound in the days when it was visible from five miles away in West Norwalk, and the Holy Ghost Fathers Seminary long before it became a conference center. At 38, she returned to college to finish her undergraduate degree, graduating at 40, at the end of Carol's senior year at Brien McMahon HS. She substitute taught part time for decades in the Norwalk school system, finally suspending the activity in favor of golf at Shorehaven Golf Club where she and Bob were members for more than 50 years. She loved gardening and traveling with the family and later with Bob. Together, they went to Iran in the 1970s with American Bell International. The Revolution shortened their stay, but they loved the experience; they made lifelong friends in Tehran including their dear friend Giedra Troncone. They also cemented their love of exploring the world and the United States after Bob retired at age 55. In their later years, Bob and Janet wintered in Florida enjoying the sunshine and escaping the cold Connecticut winters.
Janet was known for her love of family, dry humor, competitive nature, strong will and heart of gold. She was the daughter of Edwin and Edith Grenon and was preceded in death by her parents and brothers Robert and Willard.
Along with her children Carol Fellows, Lois Gannon (and husband Steve Estrada), Robert Gannon Jr (and wife Tara O'Keefe); Janet is survived by her grandchildren Gregory Fellows, Russell Fellows (and Becky), Robert Fellows (and Lauren), Sarah Gannon, Michael Gannon, Rosemary O'Keefe-Hoeck, Emily Estrada (and Charles), and Cullum Estrada; great grandchildren Maya and Elliott; numerous nieces and nephews; neighbors and friends.
A memorial celebration this Fall will be at a place and time to be determined. Janet will be buried at a private ceremony attended by the family at St. John's Cemetery, Darien, CT.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations in Janet's name to the Shorehaven Caddie's Scholarship Fund, Shorehaven GC, East Norwalk, CT.
Reminiscences and condolences are welcome at the link below. https://www.currentobituary.com/obit/286193