Janet Gardella

Janet Carol Gardella (née Banigan) passed away at her long-time Acton home on December 15th 2024. She was 80 years old.
Born in New York City on August 27th, 1944, Janet was the first child of the late Thomas and Echo Banigan (née Keller). Although born in New York, Janet spent most of her childhood in College Park, Maryland. After graduating from High Point High School in Beltsville, Maryland, she attended the University of Maryland, College Park, earning a Bachelor of Arts in American Civilization in 1966. After college, Janet worked for the National Security Agency where she met her future husband. Once married in 1972, Janet moved from Maryland to Winchester, Massachusetts to start a family. After a two year stay in Colorado Springs, Colorado, she and her family returned to Massachusetts and settled in Acton in
1981, where she stayed until her death.
When she re-entered the workforce in 1987, Janet was employed at the local Beacon Newspaper as a photographer and paste-up designer. As the technology advanced, she shifted into the role of a graphic designer which she continued to do for many years with both The Beacon and the Community Newspaper Company. Janet loved her local Acton community. She was ever present at Acton youth sport and recreation events in the 1980s and 1990s and was proud that both her sons were ABRHS graduates.
Janet was an enthusiastic bibliophile and could often be found reading a variety of books, magazines, and newspapers. She always loved reading about current events and history but was also ready to revisit an old Stephen King novel or check out a new author when she felt the time called for it. Although she often begrudged the need to rake leaves or shovel snow, she still loved the New England fall and the changing colors and seasons. When the weather was pleasant, she enjoyed being outside and taking care of her yard or just watching the flowers and wildlife from her deck and windows.
Janet is survived by her two sons, Stephen Gardella and his wife Maria of Astoria, Queens, NY, David Gardella and grandson Zane of San Rafael, CA; her siblings Stephen Banigan of Fort Lauderdale, FL, Linda Banigan of Versailles, KY, Patricia Valore of Corrales, NM; and her nieces Tara Ogren of Lakeside, NE and Joey Banigan Jones of Elizabethtown, KY. In addition to her parents, Janet is predeceased by her nephew Ryan Bevard.
A private family internment will take place in Acton in the spring or early summer of 2025.