Janet Anderson Stevens, at age 100 has released her lines on Feb. 5th to begin her voyage west towards the sunset. Born in Springfield, Mass. Sept. 1918, to Charles and Alison (Smith) Butterworth, she was a daughter, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother and devoted friend. Her younger brother, Richard Butterworth has departed previously on his voyage. Her younger sister, Alison Kilgore of Marblehead, Mass. survives her.
Growing up in Longmeadow, Mass., she graduated from high school and attended Bay Path Business School.
In October 1941, she married Paul Clayton Stevens, her husband for 67 years until his westward voyage began in Dec .2008. He always adjusted his pace and stride to keep them together. He has been patiently tacking back and forth just over the horizon waiting for her. With following winds and a fair tide she should reunite with him by Valentine's Day so they can continue on together again.
Watching from shore are her children, Sally Stevens with grandson, Collin Stevens of New Orleans La., Peter Stevens and wife, Cynthia of Bothell Wash., Richard Stevens and wife, Lia of Ann Arbor Mich., and Chuck Stevens and wife, Marilyn of Mystic. We are saddened by her passing but grateful for her long and productive life.
Janet was also loved by her extended family, Charles Chorlton of Groton; Jacey Chorlton of Brookings S.D.; John, Katie, Kai and Gus Chorlton of Sedona Ariz.; Polly Charlton and Stephen Schonning of Westerly R.I.; Chelsea Snurkowski and husband, Ryan Travers of El Paso Texas; and Joe Snurkowski of Ledyard.
Her family will carry in their hearts memories of a person devoted to her husband and her family. She was diminutive but possessed of strength, intelligence and humor. She was a voracious reader and in her day an energetic correspondent to family and friends. She was quiet but missed nothing. She found beauty and contentment in everything around her. She loved her children deeply but gave them the freedom and independence to make their own lives. She viewed each of life's changes as a new adventure to be embraced.
The family is immensely grateful to the staff at Mystic Healthcare. They were all devoted caregivers to Paul Stevens during his stay from 2005-2008 and to Janet since 2012. They became not just caregivers but extended family. The affection, care and dedication they provided every day of those years cannot be adequately recognized but will forever be in the hearts of the family.
Jan and Paul both believed that "you arrive without ceremony and you leave without ceremony" so there will be no services. Janet and Paul want those remaining to remember them with smiles and laughter and to think of them as one of the brilliant colors in each sunset.
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