Janette Stephenson Branch, died on Nov. 10. Born in Lewiston on March 4, 1925, she was the only child of the late Bessie (Stewart) and Milton Stephenson.
She grew up in Union, Bath and Wiscasset and graduated from the former Mary E. Burnham School for Girls in Northampton, Mass. She received a certificate in Early Childhood Education from the former Nursery Training School of Boston, a school of Boston University at that time. She was one of the ‘founding mothers’ of Cloverdale Cooperative Nursery School in Florence, Mass.
Janette and her late husband, Fayette “Twig” Branch Jr., enjoyed over 30 years of happy retirement on Damariscotta Lake in Nobleboro which was her favorite place in the world.
She enjoyed a very rich and fulfilling life. She flew on the Concorde, sailed on the Queen Elizabeth, rode in hot air balloons and swam with dolphins. Her interests were diverse. She was an excellent seamstress, baker and gardener. She loved animals, especially her own horses, dogs and cats. She enjoyed traveling and was a wonderful storyteller. She was a ‘collector of people,’ and was devoted to her many friends in New England, Florida and points in between. Her greatest legacy to us is her wonderful sense of humor.
She was a member of the Florence Congregational Church, and was especially fond of Pastor Irv.
She will be sadly missed by her children, Geoff and wife Kate Spencer, Carol Conz and husband Bill Conz, and Tom Branch and partner Lisa Ford; grandchildren, Jessica Branch and Jason, Tony Conz and Lisa, and Susannah Branch; and six great-grandchildren.
Burial will be at a later date and will be private.
Donations in her memory to Dakin Animal Shelter, 163 Montague Rd., Leverett, MA 01054 or to The Florence Congregational Church, 130 Pine St., Florence, MA 01062 are very much appreciated.