LACONIA ---- Janet Elva Stafford Mitchell, 84, of Parade Road, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family, on Saturday, September 28, 2024.
Janet was born on August 11, 1940, in Laconia, the daughter of Charles and Elva (Brown) Stafford.
Janet married Warren Mitchell on November 26th, 1960. This was the beginning of a lifetime love that grew to include 2 children, 6 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. They traveled many miles together in different modes of transportation, antique cars, motorcycles, snowmobiles, boats, and an 8,000-mile cross country trip in their motorhome.
Janet LOVED her birds. Letting the bird feeder run out of food on Parade Road was simply not an option. All year round she would be naming the species and making sure they had plenty of birdhouses and food. She documented when they would arrive so that she had the correct food for them and could look forward to their return.
Family time was cherished by Janet. Family dinners were always a festive occasion. Playing the piano for others to sing gave her so much joy. She was excited to go to any show whether it was a high school concert, or a Broadway show, and she would have attended them every day. She sang in many local choral groups, most recently with the Powerhouse Theatre Collaborative in “A Christmas Carol” at the Colonial Theatre. Her pinnacle music memory was her trip to Brazil with The Friendship Chorus.
You could not tell Janet something could not be done. She went back to college in her 50’s to get her bachelor’s degree, opened a gift shop, convinced Warren to take her to Holland, Michigan for the Tulip Festival, learned Mahjong and started a weekly Mahjong Club that continued for close to 20 years.
Reading was an insatiable love for her and she had the ability to retain and read at an incredible speed. Reading more than one book at a time was not uncommon. Recalling details and debating them with those who had an opposing view was a favorite pastime for her. Her knowledge was deep in politics, theology, and current events. If you dared to spar with her on a topic, you best have your details in order.
Water was a big part of her life. She grew up swimming in the area lakes, and enjoyed the pool both at home and at the club with her “pool friends”. Moody Beach was her place to recharge by jumping the waves and listening to the ocean. She shared this love with her husband, children and grandchildren.
Janet was a lifelong philanthropist always giving of her time, talents and treasures. Supporting the Rainbow Girls for 11 years during her 60-year membership of the Order of Eastern Star was one she found most meaningful. Countless community organizations benefited from her “all in” committed fundraising and planning efforts.
Janet is survived by her beloved husband of almost 64 years, Warren Mitchell, daughters Carrington (Mitchell) Pearson and Jennifer Mitchell, grandchildren, Benjamin and his wife Jennifer, Brooke and her husband Mike Flathers, Jake Pearson and his fiancé Morgan Monette, Oksana Pearson, Katherine Pearson, Maggie Mitchell and her fiancé Kyle Leighton, her great-grandsons, Lucas, Zeke, Theodore, Logan, Jack and Thomas, her sister Grace Stafford and her brother Charles Stafford and his wife Bette, her nephews, Chris and Curtis Stafford, Vincent and Todd Tyer and niece Kelly Normand and their families. She was predeceased by her parents.
Per Janet’s wishes there will be no calling hours.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, October 5, 2024 at 10:30am, at St. James Episcopal Church, 2238 Parade Road, Laconia, NH 03246. If there is overflow in the parking lot at the church, the family suggests that you park at the family home which is past the church on the left. There will be transportation to the church and also a walking path. There is no parking on Route 106/Parade Road.
For those who cannot attend the service, a livestream will be broadcasted on YouTube, https://youtube.com/live/kNDojrb5jsg?feature=share.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Janet’s memory to the Belknap House, 200 Court Street, Laconia, NH 03246 www.belknaphouse.org. This is an amazing organization that empowers families to become self-sufficient and independent by providing them with education and access to community services.
The family would like to thank all of the dedicated people at Concord Hospital, Encompass and Goldenview who were so kind and nurturing through such a difficult time. We would also like to give special recognition to Quality Home Health and Hospice for making it possible for Janet to spend her last few days at home with all of her family by her side.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia NH is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to wilkinsonbeane.com.