Janet E. (Huskins) Harrison

Janet E. (Huskins) Harrison, 88, of Springfield, passed away on May 31, 2023 at Baystate Medical Center with her cherished daughter Emily at her side. Janet was born in Springfield on April 30, 1935, the daughter of the late Douglas and Ruth (Anderson) Huskins. In addition to her parents, she was also predeceased by her husband William L. Harrison who passed away in 2008. Janet is survived by her three devoted daughters, Tracy Harrison and her husband Animesh Pardanani of Rochester, MN, Kelly Harrison and her husband Christopher Van Leeuwen of Belchertown, MA, and Emily Harrison of Springfield, MA. She also leaves an adored granddaughter Maya Pardanani, as well as her cat, Finn, and dog, Lilah. Several beloved pets also predeceased her.

Janet grew up in Springfield, MA. She spent many Sundays at Bethesda Lutheran Church in the city, with her parents. As a young girl, she loved going to her grandparents’ farm in East Longmeadow, which later became the site where Milton Bradley stood. She later attended Bridgewater State College where she earned her teaching degree. Janet started her teaching career in Longmeadow, and then taught in Alaska for two years, a place she would fondly  speak of often throughout her adult life. Janet was a lifelong “friend of Bill W.” After traveling with her husband to New York, Colorado and Germany on his tours of duty, they returned to the Springfield area when he retired from the Air Force. She was a stay-at-home mom, which her daughters always appreciated; there was always an after school snack, a hug and a smile as her daughters returned home. An amazing seamstress and cake decorator, she wove creativity and education into her family’s life. She was a Girl Scout troop leader, and never missed a school event in which she could honor her daughters’ accomplishments. She encouraged her daughters to learn to swim and always expressed how important education was, taking them to museums and libraries often. Janet loved animals, reading, and cherished family, as well as times in Maine, especially Goose Rocks Beach. Janet returned to teaching after her last daughter was school-age, and finished her educational journey where she began it, in Springfield. She also loved baseball, as a child watching the Boston Red Sox with her dad, and, in later years, she became a fan of the New York Yankees, and enjoyed talking baseball statistics with people. As Janet had expressed wishes to stay in her home as long as she could, despite health issues, the family would like to sincerely thank Dr. Darren O'Neill for his collaboration with Emily to make this happen. All services and burial will be private. Arrangements entrusted to the Byron Keenan Funeral Home and Cremation Tribute Center, 1858 Allen Street, Springfield, MA, 01118. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Janet's name to Dakin Humane Society, 171 Union Street, Springfield, MA 01105.