ATHOL, MA – Janet L. (Hounsell) Haley, 91, of Westfield, MA (formerly of Athol, MA) passed away peacefully on October 19, 2026 at the Arbors of Westfield where she has resided since 2018.
Born in Gardner on April 20,1935, Janet was the daughter of Roy and Marjorie (Elliot) Hounsell.
Janet graduated from Athol High School in the Class of 1953. Janet was outgoing and she wrote the class song. Janet was voted most talented, most musical, as well as, the best sense of humor in her high school class. Janet always wanted to be a teacher and she attended Fitchburg State Teachers College, graduating in 1957. Her first year of teaching was in Rocky Hill CT, but after only one year, Janet returned to her beloved home town of Athol where she was an elementary school teacher in the Athol-Royalston school district until her retirement. For most of her teaching career, she taught 6th grade music and art at the Riverbend School in Athol. She and Albert Benjamin, as well as the 5th grade music teacher, would put on memorable spring 5th and 6th grade choir and band concerts.
In addition, Janet played the church organ for 40 years at both the South Athol Methodist Church and Orange Methodist Church.
Never traveling far from Athol, the town she called home for most of her life. Janet always had a smile and friendly greetings for family, friends and former students who were so fond of her. Janet was both a kind and generous spirit. She was an active volunteer at church. Janet lived a simple life and a life of service. She donated her beautiful piano to Athol High School when she moved out of her home and into the Arbors of Westfield an assisted living facility near her only daughter Lynn (Haley) Kane.
Janet enjoyed playing bridge, cribbage and other card games with friends. Friends and family enjoyed Janet’s award-winning Bread & Butter pickles and homemade pies – apple, blueberry, strawberry-rhubarb and custard, to name a few. Janet enjoyed playing a competitive games of hearts whenever the extended family got together. Janet also made crocheted blankets.
Janet was predeceased by her parents, Roy and Marjorie; her brother Roy and his wife Marion; brother-in-law, Clive Skevington, and her ex-husband James W. Haley.
Janet will be lovingly remembered and missed by her daughter Lynn (Haley) Kane and her husband, James of Westfield, and her sister Linda Skevington of Athol. She also leaves behind nieces Heidi Skevington, Terri Katon, Donna Hounsell, Cindy Steffen and their spouses and extended families.
Calling Hours will be held on Wednesday, October 28, 2026 from 11:00am to 12:00pm at Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main St, Orange MA. A Funeral Service will follow at 12:00 pm.
The Burial will follow services at Silver Lake Cemetery, Athol, MA the entrance off Lenox Street.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to either South Athol Methodist Church, P.O. Box 211, Athol, MA 01331 or Orange Methodist Church, 104 South Main Street, Orange, MA 01364.
Janet’s daughter extends her heartfelt gratitude to Brookhaven Hospice and the Arbors Assisted Living and Reflections staff, both past and present, for their unwavering kindness and dedication to Janet.
Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is assisting the family.
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