Janet L. Kirby

Janet Louise Kirby (Chapin) passed away on August 25, 2016 peacefully in her sleep at her home in Agawam, MA. Jan had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer only 3 weeks prior to her death. Jan is survived by her beloved husband of 31 years, Colin P. Kirby. Jan is survived by two sons Peter Allen and his wife Donna of Feeding Hills, and David Allen and wife Susan and their children Lucas, Christopher, and Lydia of Marlboro, MA. Jan was born on August 21, 1940 in Northampton, the daughter of Edwin and Mildred Chapin. She is predeceased by a brother and three older sisters and survived by sister Lois Camp of Lakeland FL. Jan is also survived by her stepchildren; Stuart Kirby of Revere, Colin Kirby, Jennifer Kirby and Kathryn Kirby of Springfield, and Pamela Kirby of Lynn, MA. Jan lived in Springfield and Agawam for most of her years. She received her BA from U Mass in 1963 and attended Keene State College, where she earned a Master of Education in 1978. Jan worked all her life in the Enfield Schools, most of her years teaching first grade at Hazardville Memorial, until her retirement in 1999. Jan loved spending time with family and friends and was a prolific communicator. Her birthday & Christmas card address lists numbered in the hundreds. Jan kept in touch with most of her former students and their families. Hallmark and the US Post Office mourn her passing. Jan enjoyed the time she spent traveling in retirement and got special pleasure from her visits to her “Haven of Peace” on Cole Pond in Jamaica, VT. Calling hours will be held at Leete-Stevens Enfield Chapels, 61 South Road, Enfield from 4:00 to 7:00 PM on Friday, September 9. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be at 11:00 AM Saturday, September 10 at Leete-Stevens Enfield Chapels with a small reception after that. Jan wished that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent in her honor to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association. She also wished those is attendance be dressed only in bright spring colors “no black.”