Janet Hartson (Kennedy) Erb

Janet Hartson (Kennedy) Erb, age 76, of Maynard, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 12, 2023. She was the loving wife of John E. Erb.  

Born Feb. 2, 1947, in Pittsfield, MA to the late John A. and Claire (Pritchard) Kennedy. Lived in Fitchburg, then Hudson moving to Maynard in 1955.  She graduated from Maynard High School in 1965 and from Lycoming College with a BA in 1969.  She earned her master’s degree from Lesley College.  A third-grade teacher for many years, she left teaching for several years to be a mother to her three children before returning to teach at Green Meadow School in Maynard, a School she attended as a child.  She retired as team leader of the Third-grade staff and spent time with her grandchildren:  Alex and Samuel Adams, and Juliana and Isabella Erb.  

In her spare time over the years, she had been a Sunday School Teacher, enjoyed sewing and quilting and took many education courses to improve herself as an educator.  She also assisted her husband and father in the family funeral service business.  She enjoyed her family and traveling.  She had a second home in Florida for a number of years and traveled with friends in a motor home to Canada and half of the United States. She also enjoyed going on safari in Africa and studying in Mexico as a college student.

In addition to her grandchildren, she leaves her husband of 54 years, John E Erb, her daughter Jennifer Adams and her husband James of Stow, her son Jay and his wife Laura of Sudbury and a son Joshua Erb of Bolton.  She also leaves a sister Marty Maria of Maynard and her partner Victor Kizik and her former brother-in-law Martin Maria of Acton.  Her brother-in-law Gene Erb and several nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. 

Family and friends will gather to honor and remember Janet on Friday, November 17, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Fowler-Kennedy Funeral Home, 42 Concord Street, Maynard. Her Funeral Service will be celebrated on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Fowler-Kennedy Funeral Home, followed by burial at Glenwood Cemetery, Maynard.  

Gifts in her memory may be made to, Alzheimer’s Association 309 Waverley Oaks Rd, Waltham, MA, 02452.