Janice L. (Gillan) Finn: Longtime Chelmsford Resident, Passionate Volunteer

Obituary courtesy of Blake Funeral Home

CHELMSFORD, MA - Janice L. (Gillan) Finn, age 83, a longtime resident of Chelmsford passed away Sunday, Jan. 10, 2016 at Lowell General Hospital following a brief illness. She was the wife of the late John T. Finn, Jr. and the mother of the late John B. “Jack” Finn and Robert W. Finn.

She was born in Cambridge on July 10, 1932, and was the daughter of the late Thomas Bernard and Claire (Perry) Gillan. She was a graduate of Notre Dame Academy in Cambridge.

Janice was a parishioner of St. Mary Parish in Chelmsford and the Franciscan Center in Andover.

Prior to her retirement, she was employed for many years as a financial counselor by Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington. Earlier in her career she was employed as a teacher’s aide at the South Row in Chelmsford. She also spent many hours volunteering with veteran’s organizations and received the 2007 Veterans Volunteer in Excellence Award from Hanscom Air Force Base for her contributions to veteran’s causes.

In her free time Janice enjoyed knitting and gardening, although her greatest joy was spending time in the company of her loving grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Janice L. and Jeffrey D. Long of Marlborough; four grandchildren, Jeffrey D. Long and his wife Jennifer of Marlborough, Jessica Grady and her husband Sean of N. Providence RI, Brandan M. Long of Allston, and Shelby McGraw and her husband Lawrence of Bainbridge, NY; five great-grandchildren, Lowell P. Grady, Jared D. Long, Zoe N. Long, Finn McGraw, and Michael McGraw; and her cousins Chris, Polly, Patty, and Jeanne who were very supportive of her.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Janice’s name to the Chelmsford Senior Center, 75 Groton Rd, North Chelmsford, MA 01863.