Janice J. Swoditch

NAUGATUCK - Janice J. Swoditch, age 71, passed away on Sunday, March 25, 2012 at home with family members by her side after a long, valiant fight with cancer. She was the wife of Robert J. Swoditch, Sr.

Janice was born in Waterbury on July 27, 1940, daughter of the late Eleanor Duigan Johnson and J. Arvid Johnson. She graduated from St. Francis Xavier School, Waterbury Catholic High School, Southern Connecticut State University and from Rutgers University with a master's degree in library media. She worked as a library media specialist at H.C. Wilcox Technical School for 32 years. She briefly retired and then worked in the children's room at Silas Bronson Library until retiring in 2006. Janice was a communicant of St. Francis of Assisi Church and was active in many professional and local organizations throughout her life.
Janice loved to laugh and spend time with family and friends. Her home and heart was open to all. With her wealth of knowledge and kind heart, she was a consummate professional who helped generations of children and parents. She was a UConn Women's basketball fan and her travels regularly included the Final Four.

Janice is survived by her beloved husband of 49 years; her daughter, Mary-Elizabeth "Mare" Fox, of Massachusetts; her son, Robert J. Swoditch Jr., of Naugatuck; her sister, Joyce J. Balanda, of Southbury; her grandchildren, Sean, Shannon and Kendall Fox; and many loved nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws.

A memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, April 14, at 11 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 318 Church St., Naugatuck. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ronald McDonald House or the Salvation Army.