Janet Keating Giddings

Janet (Keating) Giddings passed away on Saturday, March 16, 2019 at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center in Nashua. Jan was born on August 19, 1936 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota to Paul and Frances (Boushka) Keating. She grew up in nearby Parker, South Dakota attending Parker schools. After graduating from South Dakota State University, she started her teaching career in Alcester, South Dakota. During that time, she met Richard "Jerry" Giddings through a mutual friend. Jerry, a fellow South Dakotan, was going through Air Force Officer Candidate training. That meeting led to a long-distance courtship between San Antonio, Texas and South Dakota when the logistics of travel were much more difficult. When Jerry was commissioned and received his first assignment to Hahn Air Base in Germany, they decided the long distance between South Dakota and Germany would be impossible, so they got engaged. Jan quit her job, sold her car, bought a wedding dress and a mink coat and flew to Ireland. Jan and Jerry were married on August 20, 1960 in Derry, Ireland by Father Leo O'Doherty, the priest at Jerry's hometown church in Ft. Pierre, South Dakota who happened to be visiting his family in Ireland at the time. The newlyweds returned to Hahn and that's where the adventures really began. During Jerry's long Air Force career, they shared a love of travel, cooking, music and many friends. Along the way they had two daughters, Barbara and Frances, and Jan continued her teaching career. She taught English at Tokyo University of the Sacred Heart, Chaminade University in Hawaii and numerous military education centers, helping young Air Force personnel earn their college degrees. During an assignment at Plattsburgh Air Force Base, New York in the late 70's, a weekend trip to Boston introduced Jan and Jerry to the beauty of New England, they fell in love with the area and moved to Amherst, New Hampshire when Jerry retired from the Air Force in 1983. Once settled, Jan started teaching again to help deal with empty nest syndrome. Her 17 years teaching English at Londonderry High School in Londonderry, New Hampshire were the happiest of her career. She loved her students, her fellow teachers and loved being a Lancer. Sharing her passion for literature, whether it was Shakespeare, Tolstoy or Twain, and helping her students discover the wonders of the world brought her great joy. When she and Jerry retired in 2001, they enjoyed a life rich with grandchildren, friends, her much loved golden retriever and lots of travel. Together Jan and Jerry reached all seven continents and more than 70 countries. Days at home were spent gardening, doing needlework with her "Stitchers," and cheering on her grandchildren in countless soccer matches, Irish dancing competitions, plays and concerts. Jan also loved to entertain, scotch tasting parties on the 4th of July and incredible Easter egg hunts were just a few of the celebrations she pulled together for her family every year. With more time on her hands she pursued her deep love of politics helping out national and local Democratic campaigns. Jan fit so much into her 82 years, her curiosity, humor and even her strong opinions enriched the lives of all of us who were part of her journey. In the words of William Shakespeare in A Midsummer Night's Dream, "…And though she be but little, she is fierce." Jan was predeceased by her parents and her brother, Tom. She leaves behind Jerry, her husband of 58 years; her children Barb (Ken) Wolfe, and Francie (Urban) Gillespie; grandchildren Rebecca (Justin) Parker, Genevieve Wolfe (Michael Cook), Liam and Ainsley Gillespie; sisters-in-law Mary Giddings and Meredith Keating; and her nieces and nephews. A celebration of life will take place at a later date. In Jan's memory, Londonderry High School is establishing a scholarship to benefit students planning to major in English. Anyone interested in donating may do so by sending a check made out to Londonderry High School. Please write Jan Giddings in the memo line. Donations can be mailed to Londonderry High School, 295 Mammoth Road, Londonderry, New Hampshire, 03053. Written By The Loving Family of Janet Giddings