Janet was born February 22, 1948 in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the daughter of the late Gordon E. and Marigold (Adams) Dunbrack.
She married the late Thomas E. Van Mameren on January 1, 1976 in New London. He passed away October 17, 2000.
Janet was a voracious reader and was known for tending to her beautiful flower gardens. She enjoyed the outdoors and especially loved the beach and being in the sun. She loved to sew, knit and crochet for her loved ones. She enjoyed baking for the holidays, and everyone looked forward to her fudge, cookies, and peaches and cream cheesecake. She retired from the Norwich Public School system where she worked as a paraeducator.
She is survived by her children Harry T. Watson, Jr. and wife Marie, Kara L. Richards and husband Dave, Mary K. Van Mameren, James T. Van Mameren, sister Toni O’Berry, grandchildren Kevin Richards and wife Kaity, Sharon Greenlaw and husband Nathaniel, Tyler Watson, Christopher Parker and wife Hannah, Maeve Van Mameren, great grandchildren Wyatt, Everett, Mackenzie, Addison, and by her nieces and nephews Stephanie, Jennifer, Colleen, Joshua, Sean, Mark, Steven, Dennis, Chrystal, Joshua.
She is also survived by her in laws Mary Ellen Cobuzzi, Dennis Van Mameren, Gail Van Mameren, Michelle Zeller, Daniel Van Mameren and Bonnie Van Mameren.
In addition to her husband and parents, Janet was predeceased by her sister Lynne Matzgannis and by her in laws Eugene Cobuzzi, John Van Mameren, William Van Mameren and Alice Van Mameren.
Visitation will be held at the Labenski Funeral Home, 107 Boswell Ave. Norwich on Friday, July 18, 2025 from 6 pm to 8 pm. A Mass of Chrisitan Burial will be celebrated at St. Patrick Cathedral, 213 Broadway, Norwich CT 06360 at 9 am, meeting directly at the Cathedral. Burial will immediately follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Norwich.
Please visit www.labenskifuneralhome.com to leave a message of condolence for Janet’s family.
Donations can be made in her name to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation or the Connecticut Humane Society.
The Labenski Funeral Home, 107 Boswell Ave. Norwich, is entrusted with arrangements.
