Janet May Worthen

Janet May Hill McGrath Worthen was born in Bristol, NH on March 6, 1932. She was a spirited lady with a big heart and was loved by all who knew her.

Janet attended Bristol schools, graduating from Bristol High in 1949. She worked for a time at the International Packaging Corporation where she met, and married Joseph McGrath in 1955. They had four children, Colleen, Michael, Tim and Peter.

When her youngest was in college, Janet moved to Boston and attended The University of Massachusetts, earning her BS degree in Social Work. During these college years she worked at Talbot's Boston store and interned at North Suffolk Mental Hospital. After graduation she worked full time at the hospital and residential treatment center. Her work was focused on mentally ill patients, helping them reintegrate back into the community. She worked there for ten years, then returned to Bristol. In 1990 she married Sam Worthen who she had known for many years.

Sam passed away in 2000, and soon afterwards Janet moved to Concord, NH to be closer to her children. Michael lives in Barnstead, Tim lives in Windham and Peter lived in Concord, NH and maintains a law office in Concord, NH but now lives in South Carolina. Her daughter Colleen passed away in 2003.

Janet was an active volunteer in the community. She drove for Bristol's community center, was active in the PTA and the Women's Club. Her hobbies of reading and brisk walking filled in any spare time. She loved her Cocker Spaniel Rosy and her cat, Emma dearly.

Janet eventually moved south to Charleston, SC to be near her son Peter's family, including her three grandchildren. She passed peacefully surrounded by her children and her longtime caregiver on July 15, 2025.

Family members include three sons, Michael J. McGrath of Center Barnstead, Timothy J. McGrath of Windham and Peter G McGrath of Mount Pleasant, SC; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

A private graveside service will be held at the Sanborn Cemetery in Bristol, NH.

Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, NH, 03246, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.