Janette Marie Villemaire, 73, of Merrimack, NH, passed away Sunday August 18, 2024, at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born on February 21, 1951 in Medford, MA. Daughter of the late Clarence Cole and Marie (King) Madison, Jan spent her early childhood years in Livorno, Italy where her father was stationed for the military. In fact, the first language she ever spoke was Italian! When the family moved back to the US, she became a child of the North and South. She split time between the suburbs of Massachusetts and the rolling hills of North Carolina. After high school, Jan filled her passport as she backpacked and hitchhiked her way across Europe, staying in hostels and following travel suggestions from the locals. While she remained passionate about traveling, Jan’s greatest adventure was becoming a mother and grandmother. She gifted her children and grandchildren with a lifetime of magical memories, full of kindness, adventure, laughter, and love.
When her children were young, Jan held the role of President of the PTO and spent much of her free time volunteering within the schools. Later in life, she became a volunteer at local hospitals in the oncology department. She modeled kindness and quiet generosity. As a child who moved around frequently, Jan was determined to provide her children with strong roots and fun family traditions; she also encouraged them to spread their wings and try new things. Whether it was a quick day trip to explore a local attraction or a vacation halfway across the world, Jan was always ready to plan her next adventure or develop a new skill.
A devout Parrot Head, Jan especially enjoyed learning to play the ukulele. Jan was a music enthusiast who instilled a love of music in her children, often attending concerts and music festivals with her family. Some of her other favorite hobbies were crafting, cooking, and yoga. She was a master of puzzles who proudly completed her crosswords in pen. Jan loved nature and the beach was her happy place - the rhythm of the waves, salty skin and the feel of sand between her toes. She also loved hummingbirds and had her own special nectar recipe. Jan always had a smile on her face and added light to the lives of every person she encountered. She enjoyed spending time with her “Wine Girls” and delighted in being part of a group with her sisters-in-law who named themselves the “Golden Girls”.
Jan is survived by her husband of 45 years, Paul Villemaire and her three children: Lisa Villemaire, Tina Edwards and her husband Justin, and Daniel Villemaire and his wife Diana. She leaves behind six grandchildren: Haylee Villemaire, Hanna Paradis, Oliver Edwards, Logan, Carter and Vincent Villemaire; one sister, Sandy Cole-Brown and her husband Kevin. In addition, Jan is survived by her loving in-laws, numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family. Jan cherished time spent with her children and grandchildren - she loved her family fiercely.
A private Celebration of Life will be held by her family. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Home Health and Hospice Care of Southern NH, as they provided outstanding care for Jan in her final days.