Janet Dean Obituary
Janet E. (nee Coffin) Walsh Dean
June 27, 1937 - October 13, 2025
Janet E. (nee Coffin) Walsh Dean, 88, passed away peacefully with her daughters by her side on Monday, October 13, 2025.
Born on June 27, 1937, in Ticonderoga, Janet was the daughter of the late Ruth J. (Parker) Coffin and David W. Coffin.
She graduated from Catskill High School in 1954, and worked at the Greene County, NY, Treasurer's office from 1954 to 1962. She was married to John G. "Jack" Walsh from 1962 until his death in 1990. They had two daughters. In 1968, the family moved to Fort Edward where Janet lived for more than 40 years. When her daughters were older, she worked three years at Fort Edward Middle School and 18 years in the Business Office at SUNY Adirondack in Queensbury.
In 1993, Janet married Jerrold W. Dean in Glens Falls. They were happily married for 22 years, until his death in 2015.
Janet was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Glens Falls for more than 50 years. She served as a Sunday School teacher, deacon, Mission Board member, and thrift store worker, and was a member of the American Baptist Women. In addition to her church work, she enjoyed gardening, reading, and traveling, including memorable trips to England and Scotland and all over the US. She and her family also spent many happy days over the years at the cottage on Lake Ontario, one of her favorite places.
Janet was predeceased by her parents, her two husbands, and her sister, Norma Coffin Focht.
She is survived by her daughters, Lisa Walsh Dougherty and her husband, Tom, of Guilderland and Laura Walsh Ruthen and her husband, Ray, of Glastonbury, CT; her two grandsons, of whom she was very proud, Sam Dougherty (pursuing an MBA at Siena University) and Charlie Ruthen (a freshman at RPI); a sister, Catherine Coffin Williams and her husband, Dave, of Andover, MA; several nieces and nephews; and five stepchildren and their families.
We would like to thank the staff at St. Peter's Hospital, Albany, 4 Pavilion, especially Dr. Daniel Sofia and Kim Benincasa, RN, for their knowledge, kindness, and compassion.
Burial will be private.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, November 1, at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, 100 Maple Street, Glens Falls, with Rev. Stephanie Schneider officiating.
Donations may be made in Janet's memory to the First Baptist Church, 100 Maple Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801.
Published by Post-Star on Oct. 19, 2025.