1935-2021
Janet was born on May 1, 1935 in Fargo, North Dakota. She passed away peacefully in her sleep on August 6, 2021 after suffering a mild stroke a few days prior.
She grew up in Bowman, North Dakota. She then attended business school in Rapid City, South Dakota, where she met her first husband Tom Purcell, and they had three beautiful children. She is survived by her two sons Michael (64) Mark (63) & Patty (1959-2007). They moved from Rapid City to Iowa and Montana before settling in California for 8 years. They then settled permanently in Phoenix, AZ in 1969. Janet worked as an executive secretary throughout the Phoenix area before retiring in 2000.
Janet remarried her current husband Donald Massey in 1994. She spent her early retirement years with her husband traveling all over Arizona in their motorhome enjoying the outdoors, fishing , reading & relaxing. She loved to make home cooked dinners for family & friends. She especially enjoyed weekly meetings with her coffee group and having lunch with her friends on a regular basis.
What she enjoyed and cherished most were her 5 grandkids, Ryan 24 (Patty & Dave Hunt), Rachel 23 (Mark & Kelly Purcell), Heather 22 (Patty & Dave Hunt), Thomas 16 (Mike & Mandy Purcell), Julia 15 (Mike & Mandy Purcell). She loved to come over to their house and bake all kinds of things. They all learned to bake from their Grandma and she loved every minute of it. Her traditions have been passed down to each grandchild in a special way and will continue to be carried out. She went to every Baseball & Flag football game, Track meet, Volleyball game, Tae Kwon Do weekly practice & tournaments, Dance recitals and Christmas Pageants. She rarely missed anything that involved her beloved grandkids, always there to support them. She was so very proud of each of them, and they will continue to make her proud for many years to come. They’ve already asked for her recipes to carry on her delicious cooking legacy. How cool is that!!
We will greatly miss our dear mother and wonderful grandmother. We are forever grateful she will now be reunited with her daughter Patty, where they will continue to look down and guide us every day. We will remember her quick wit, loving heart and will carry on her legacy forever.
Services will be held at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at 1:00 P.M.
In lieu of flowers you may donate to your local Donate Life Organization.
www.donatelifeaz.com
Condolences may be expressed at www.whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com