Janet Gilligan

Janet Gilligan, 77, of Bow Wow Road in Sheffield passed away at her home on Nov 2, 2022.

Janet was born on November 29, 1944 in Camden, Maine to the late Lloyd and Lydia (Trim) Pendleton and grew up on the island of Islesboro, Maine.  She graduated from Kents Hill School before attending the University of Maine and later obtained her Sociology degree from American International College.  She worked as a special-needs paraprofessional at Mount Everett Regional School and was a Town of Sheffield election official.

Janet was a very loving mother and grandmother, a treasured and caring friend, and was always willing to lend a hand.  She was self-reliant and often endeavored to get tasks done with her "do-it-yourself" attitude.  She was a talented cook and avid gardener who took pleasure in passing those skills on to her family.  As her grandchildren fondly recall, you would hear a new story from Janet every time you saw her.  She enjoyed reading, loved animals (especially cats) and, above all, loved spending time with family both in Sheffield and Maine.

Janet was predeceased by her beloved husband of 45 years, Gary M. Gilligan, who died in May 2011.  The couple was married August 1, 1965 in Islesboro, Maine and settled in Sheffield, MA.

She is survived by her three sons:  Paul and wife Linda Gilligan of Bedford, NH; Kevin Gilligan and partner Melissa Leblanc of Salem, CT, and Brian Gilligan of Sheffield, MA; her grandchildren Matthew Gilligan and Abigail Gilligan of Bedford, NH; her brother Harris Pendleton of Rockland, ME; her cousin Nancy Pendleton of Bangor, ME; her extended family in Sheffield, MA:  Holly Coon, John and Elsie Gilligan, and Mary and Bruce Philbrick; and several nephews and nieces.

SERVICE – A service celebrating Janet’s life will be held at Old Parish Church in Sheffield at a later date to be announced.  The family is also planning a memorial to be held in midcoast Maine next spring.

Donations in memory of Janet may be made to the Berkshire Humane Society and the American Cancer Society through Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230.  Remembrances, memories and reflections may be sent to the family through www.finnertyandstevens.com .