Geri Janes

Geraldine “Geri” (Green) Janes, 91, of Longmeadow, died on January 9, 2019. Geri was born as Geraldine Green in Grand Falls, Newfoundland, Canada, the daughter of Malcolm and Rose (Wheeler) Green. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 56 years, Dr. A. William (Bill) Janes, her eldest son Blair Janes, her sister Daisy Bugden, and brother David Green. Geri is survived by two sons – Dale Janes of Longmeadow and his wife Ingrid, Garth Janes of Longmeadow and his wife Nancy; her daughter-in-law Susan Janes of Burnt Hills, New York; seven grandchildren – Heather Berry of Burnt Hills, New York, Leigh Forbes of Elk Grove, Maryland, Adam Janes of Portland, Maine, Scott Janes of Boston, Massachusetts, Sarah Janes of Boston, Massachusetts, Chelsea Janes of Washington, D.C., and Spencer Janes of Los Angeles, California; and three great grandchildren – Amelia Berry,  Aedan Forbes and Lila Forbes. Geri grew up in Grand Falls, Newfoundland, and studied at the Truro Normal School of Truro, Nova Scotia.  She taught school and acted as a choir director in Grand Falls before accompanying her husband to Halifax, Nova Scotia where he received undergraduate and medical degrees from Dalhousie University. She started painting in her 40s and produced many works that will be treasured by her family, and spent many hours watching baseball and hockey. In addition to Grand Falls and Halifax, Geri and Bill lived in Indianapolis, Indiana, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and St. John’s, Newfoundland before settling in Longmeadow in 1967, where she has lived for the last 51 years. Geri was devoted to and endlessly proud of her family.  She will be remembered and missed for her love of her husband, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, her cookies, her lullabies and her memories of “home” in Newfoundland. Geri’s family will receive friends on Saturday January 26, 2019 from 2:30pm to 3:00pm at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 335 Longmeadow Street, Longmeadow, MA 01106, with a memorial service to follow at the church at 3:00pm. Contributions in lieu of flowers may be directed to Baystate Children’s Hospital, c/o Baystate Health Foundation Development Office, 6th Floor, 280 Chestnut St., Springfield, MA 01199 or WGBY-TV, 44 Hampden Street, Springfield, MA 01103.