Janice Carole Broderick

Janice Carole (Fraser) Broderick, was the daughter of the late George A. and Constance (Langdell, Fraser) Wheeler of Milford, NH. Janice was born 1940, in VT, where her father was building a Checker Board feed store. However, she grew up and graduated in Milford, NH with the Class of 1959.
Janice enjoyed a childhood of adventure in the local area. She and her sister, Polly, were busy girls and kept their parents hopping. As teens, they were both competent young ladies as well as helpful for their father with building projects. They helped clear land and build a family camp that was enjoyed by 4 generations. The cabin still stands today.
Janice entered the Navy right out of high school. She received her LPN license while serving at the Great Lakes Naval Hospital. Most of her military service, however, was spent working at the Portsmouth VA Naval hospital. After her 3 years of service in the Navy, she worked towards her LPN license again, as New Hampshire did not acknowledge Navy training for nursing licenses at that time. She worked at St. Joseph Hospital in Nashua for several years in the nursery, which
she loved.
She met Kenneth Broderick, Sr. of St. Petersburg, FL and married in 1971. While living in Florida, they had one son, Kenneth Broderick, Jr. Back in those days, wives could travel with their trucking husbands. From time to time, she and their new son would ride with her husband over the road hauling cars. They would describe the shoe box they placed the baby in while driving, which would not happen today, as "tiny".
Eventually moving back to Milford, Janice worked at a local nursing home as an LPN and charge nurse until her retirement. She volunteered at the Milford Historical Society for many years, was a member of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, enjoyed coffee time with her friends, whom she appreciated so much, and enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren who lived close enough that they could visit every day. Janice enjoyed photography, culture, history, language arts, talk radio, reading, working with plants, trying new recipes, Bible studies, genealogy, handwriting analysis, Willie Nelson, and much more. She was particularly savvy at finding quality clothing and could remove nearly any kind of stain to perfection. She continued using her nursing skills in a private capacity, helping elderly friends and neighbors. She also busied herself serving at The Bridge Community Church, making Sunday dinner for her family, and generally serving whenever or where ever she saw a need.
This attitude of productively participating in life around her was not new. Her 1959 year book mentions that Janice was "always pitching in when something needed to be done." She participated in Chorus, Glee Club, Cooking contests, was a Senior Class Reporter, and participated on committees in all her high school years. She loved to learn and was actively improving herself as an individual. She enjoyed traveling, but she always looked forward to her own bed.
Janice had a passion for books and writing. She wrote articles for the Milford Historical Society and was published in a book written by her sister Polly Cote, where Janice describes some of her memories. If you were to visit her home, you would find small notes of ideas and thoughts that she had written down on note pads. Her vocabulary and sentence structure filled with such well thought out content that the most frustrating part of the sentence was that it left you wanting to see what happened next; however, the story remained secretly tucked away in her own imagination.
At the young age of 83, Janice was certified to care for a young lady with special needs. She enjoyed her job assisting her with her daily activities. Janice was devoted to her job and her young friend. Her work with the young woman continued up until 2 days before she experienced a major stroke.
Janice faced this new challenge with tenacity and determination. She showed no self-pity. As frustrating as the experience was, she faced each day with a willingness to laugh and expressed sassy sarcasm, even when it was expressed more through her eyes than her lost words. Sunday mornings, Janice would enthusiastically enjoy an online church service with her family
at home, following her stroke. She was a stickler about having everything set up so she did not miss any of the service; she hated to be late for anything. She would sing worships songs quietly. The old hymns always caught her attention the most. Her grandson could be seen on the television screen as part of the worship team. This was a source of pride for her. Janice lived 99.99% of her life independently in her own home.
She continued living at home following her stroke, doing so with assistance from her family and visits with friends. She worked hard with the help of her therapists and didn't give up. However, she experienced further complications with her health. She spent her last days at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center. It wasn't certain what was going to happen. She continued to fight; but, eventually, it became evident that going to her earthly home wasn't going to happen. She was surrounded by family and friends at her passing. The room was filled with love and hope, for her adventures continue as the Lord had other ideas and called her to her heavenly home instead.
We obviously couldn't possibly describe everything that Janice enjoyed or did in her lifetime, even though it appears that we tried. (LOL). We surely missed details that we never knew, and so much we will never know. So, we ask, PLEASE share your memories with us on the obituary website.
Janice is survived by her son Kenneth, his wife Jenny; four grandchildren: Jesse, Aiyanna, Grace, and Sophia of Milford, NH; One sister, Polly (Fraser) Cote, husband Norman Cote of Milford, NH; Nephew Kyle Cote of WA, wife Susie; his children Kyle Jr., and Leslie; Niece Anne (Cote) Fung of Wheaton ILL, husband Watson; their children Cadence, Colby, Linnaea, and Luke. Janice will be missed as sister, mother, grandmother, auntie, the lady who served the snacks, and by many more as friend.
Services:
Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024 – 4:00 p.m.
The Bridge Community Church
65 West Street
Milford, New Hampshire
603-673-5191
Sunday:
Potluck lunch around noon at The Bridge Community Church following the morning service.
Please bring a dish to pass.
Monday, Nov. 4, 2024 – 10:30 a.m.
Riverside Cemetery
Graveside service
Nashua Street, Milford, New Hampshire
Due to lack of space and to honor her memory as a servant and a giving individual who didn't like to waste, those who are considering to send flowers are encouraged to bring the equivalent amount they would normally spend on flowers to be used for nonexpired food items for the Share food pantry in Milford in Janice's name, or bring it to the Saturday service for a collection to be taken to the Share Food Pantry. Thank you. "We must be practical." Janice C. Broderick.