Janice Marie O'Connor

1950 - 2025

Janice Marie O'Connor, 75, of Fernandina Beach F.L. passed away on Friday, October 17, 2025 at the Mayo Clinic surrounded by her loving family.
Janice was born on July 4, 1950 in Jersey City, N.J. The eldest of six children of Rosemary Nicholson and William Tarrant, Janice embraced the role of caregiver from an early age. Taking care of others was central to who she was and it was a role she maintained all her life. Her care giving began with her siblings, which then extended to her daughters, her students and the grandchildren she adored. 
Janice excelled as a student starting at St. Paul's Catholic school followed by Ramsey High School, earning degrees from Georgian Court University and Mount Saint Mary College. Janice worked as a Special Education teacher at Monroe-Woodbury school district in New York for 25 years. Countless students benefitted from her grace, kindness, patience and compassion as she taught them how to read. 
She married her soulmate Kevin in 1982. Wed for 43 years, they embodied the theory that opposites attract. She was a kind, patient, stylish girl from Ramsey, N.J., always with her nails perfectly painted and beautifully dressed. He's proud to be a sports obsessed, simple man from the Bronx. They built a wonderful life together, starting in Highland Mills, N.Y. raising Tara and later Meghan before creating a dream retirement for themselves in Manasquan, N.J. and Amelia Island, FL. Together they embraced a life of adventure, traveling the world until the very end. 
She was happiest with her family. The memories of summers in Surfside With her sisters, time on the beach in Manasquan with Robert and Mackenzie, and swimming with Jack and Maddie, will be forever etched in our minds. 
Janice was eternally grateful for the blessings in her life and often said, "We are so lucky." Our loss is profound but her legacy will live on in the countless lives she so positively impacted. 
She is survived by her husband, Kevin O'Connor of Fernandina Beach, FL.; her daughters, Tara and husband Robert Devlin of Wall Township, N.J.; Meghan and husband Brian Daigle of Larkspur, C.A.; her four grandchildren, Robert Devlin (17), Mackenzie Devlin (16), Madeleine Daigle (5) and Jack Daigle (2); two sisters, two brothers and many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews. Janice was predeceased by her parents and brother, Sean Tarrant.
A memorial service will be held Friday, October 24th at 10:00am at the Oxley-Heard Funeral Home, 1305 Atlantic Avenue, Fernandina Beach, FL. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made in her honor to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Please share your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.