Janet Minella-Didier

1934 - 2022

New London - Janet Minella-Didier (nee Minella), passed away May 26, 2022. Janet was born June 9, 1934, to Luigi and Josephine (Rudloff) Minella and grew up in Hollis, N.Y. She graduated from Our Lady of Wisdom Academy and Kaupert Secretarial Institute, and she worked as a secretary overlooking the rink at Rockefeller Center in Manhattan.

Janet married the late CDR Jacob P. Didier Jr. Following his death in 1971, Janet and her five children moved to Connecticut. She attended UConn at Avery Point, and graduated from UConn Storrs. She received her MA in special education and counseling from St. Joseph College. Janet taught in Preston, and was passionate about teaching children to read. She was active in the Preston NEA and served as president for six years. Following retirement, she was a part-time tutor at St. Mary's, New London, until the school closed.

Janet was active in peace and justice organizations including United Action of Eastern Connecticut, Diocese of Norwich Haitian Ministries Board, St. Francis House New London and the Voluntown Peace Trust. She participated in Peace Walks in Connecticut and other New England States as driver/sometimes walker. For many years, she witnessed for peace at various locations in the area. Janet studied Usui Reiki and became a Rainbow Reiki Master.

Janet loved traveling. When her children were young, she bought a pop-up camper from a neighbor and took her family camping throughout the Eastern States, and Canada. The highlight was a seven-week trip across to California, and back, visiting relatives, museums, historic sites and national parks. She traveled to Haiti, Nicaragua, Mexico, many European countries, New Zealand, Australia, and at age 85, traveled to Egypt, and climbed inside the Great Pyramid. She loved the theater, opera, ballet, movies and all types of museums. She loved the natural world, especially rocks: the coast of Acadia National Park and the Rocky Mountains were spiritual experiences for her.

Janet is survived by her wonderful children and their spouses: Joan and Paul Remy, Mary Kate and Joe Mason, John and Patrice Didier, Ellen Didier and Dan Thompson and David and Stacie Didier; her awesome and much-loved grandchildren: Elizabeth, Samantha, Rachel, Monica, Christopher, Jacob, Emily, Audrey, Delanie, Thomas and Brian; and her favorite great-granddaughter Charlotte. She is also survived by her brother- and sister-in-law Paul and Fran Didier; nieces, Janet Reichart, Ann Franklin and Aimee Didier; nephew Mark Didier and their families; and cousins in the U.S .and Italy. She was predeceased by many people she loved: husband Pete; her parents; her sister Joan Reichart and brother-in-law Frank Reichart; in-laws Betty and Peter Didier Sr.; niece Lisa Didier; and aunts, uncles and cousins here and abroad.

Janet was very grateful for her family and friends, the many strangers who crossed her path, the places she saw, the lessons she learned, her love of nature and the gift of her life. "Praise be."

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Connecticut Hospice, 100 Double Beach Road, Branford, CT 06405.

A memorial gathering for Janet will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, June 6, at the Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home, 48 Grand St., Niantic. A Celebration of Life service will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 7, at All Souls Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 9 Jay Street, New London. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the family may be shared at www.neilanfuneralhome.com.