Janet Mackin

Never one to leave a party early, Janet Fernstrom Mackin passed away a month after her 91st birthday on December 25, 2025. At no time had she lost her sense of humor, stubbornness, or resolve.
Janet was predeceased by her husband Robert, her parents, and sister-in-law Pat. She is survived by her children: Robert (Julie) Mackin of Sudbury, MA (grandchildren Kristine, Erika, and Andrew); Kathleen Chinn of Lake Ozark, MO (grandchildren Jack (Katie) Chinn and great grandchildren Lizzy and James Chinn), (grandchild Guinevere Stice and great grandchild Alex Stice), and (grand children Tory (Colin) Forbes); and Patricia (Daniel) Tucker of Palatine, IL, (grandchildren Mitchell (Natalie) Tucker and great grandchild TessaTucker), and (grandchildren Danny Tucker and Jenni Tucker).
Janet was born in 1934, and was the favorite (okay only) child of John and Esther Fernstrom of New York. She was used to doing things her own way, yet remained generous throughout her life. She grew up in New York and enjoyed gallivanting around New York City where she worked as a secretary. After marrying the love of her life, Robert Mackin, and having three children, they moved to Deerfield, IL in 1965. They stayed there until retiring to Lake Ozark, MO in 1996.
All of Janet's kids have happy childhood memories of her driving the VW bus with the rusted-out floor, the white Volvo station wagon whose engine both stalled shortly after leaving the neighborhood on cold mornings and knocked embarrassingly whenever it was turned off, and Oldsmobile station wagons with fake wood panels. Her children can still picture her sitting by the backyard pool with a drink and a cigarette in hand, laughing and talking with her friends, while simultaneously lifeguarding her kids as they swam and jumped off the diving board. She and Bob also knew how to throw a good party. In one memorable instance, a friend showed such eagerness to enjoy the festivities that he showed up with a suitcase in hand, secure in the knowledge that his hosts would never want the fun to end.
Community was very important to Janet, which led to her continual involvement. She was quick to volunteer with the PTA at her kids' schools as well as the Lake Ozark Regional Hospital Auxiliary. She was also never hesitant to donate money to numerous charities. She enjoyed traveling with family and friends, both in the US and abroad. Some of her memorable domestic trips were to Colorado, Alaska, Hawaii, Florida,Massachusetts, Nevada, Arizona, and California. She also brought the fun and laughter with her to Canada, Ecuador, Peru, Egypt, France, Germany, Hungary, and even went on a safari in Africa.
Janet was a fantastic cook whose mantra was, "If you can read, you can cook." This philosophy resulted in many happy family memories, telling tales of each other's days at the nightly dinner table. If the inevitable heated discussion occurred, Janet was the first to put her napkin on her head, which helped diffuse the tension. This was attributed to the house rule which allowed one to say anything that they wanted and have the last word, as long as the napkin remained in place. By ending a discussion in this manner, the family was able to move on to the next topic.
While she passed without her napkin on her head, she did depart on her own terms. She continued to do things her own way, stubborn yet delightful to the end. She was the best mom ever: quick to join in with activities, drive her kids wherever they wanted to go, encourage their academic success, lend an ear, offer advice, and give her support. She attended her kids' sporting events and activities whenever possible, enthusiastically participated when they wanted to play a game or do a craft, and guided them to all be successful adults.
Words cannot express how much she will be missed.
Private family services will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are under the direction of Hedges-Scott-Millard Funeral Homes, 514 Highway 42, Osage Beach, MO 65065 (573) 348-3232. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.hedgesscottmillard.com.