Janet Carolyn Pitzer

Janet Pitzer passed away on February 8, 2026, after a long illness. She was born in 1939 to the late Allen F. Smith and Miriam J. (Perry) Smith and raised in Melrose, MA. She and her husband, the late William E. Pitzer, raised their family in Chelmsford and ultimately retired to Port St. Lucie, FL, with summers in Boothbay, ME. Jan only returned to this area in 2022 after the passing of her beloved husband of 61 years.

Janet was the owner of The Welles Emporium in Lowell for almost two decades. She strongly believed in the City of Lowell and was involved with The Lowell Plan, The Lowell Development & Financial Corp, The Downtown Business Association and the Merrimack Repertory Theatre. She was especially honored by the Golden Trolley Award, presented to her by The Lowell Plan.

Her grandchildren fondly remember the annual traditions of their childhoods --riding on a float in the City of Lights Parade, sidewalk sales and “working” in the store, showing jewelry to customers at The Welles Christmas Open House. And all the peach boxes—the many they made in the basement with their grandfather and the ones they opened on every holiday!

As active as Janet was throughout her life--running The Welles, a busy social calendar, and golf at Vesper CC, she always made time for her grandchildren’s activities and sporting events- just as she had with her children.

She leaves her son, Allen Pitzer and his wife, Susan, of South Hamilton, her daughter, Nancy Plummer and her husband, Gerry, of Westford, as well as four grandchildren, William F. Pitzer, Jason Plummer, Alexandra Pitzer and Timothy Plummer, and three great-grandchildren, Colin Plummer, Daisy Pitzer and Leo Pitzer. Janet also leaves her sisters, Diana Sweeney and her husband, Paul, of Arlington, VA and Donna Sturgis-Grunert of Cazenovia, NY. She was predeceased by her brother, Dana Smith of Enfield CT.

A memorial service is planned for a later date.