Janet Elizabeth (Cleary) Mellor

Janet Elizabeth (Cleary) Mellor – Methuen, MA

Longtime Methuen resident Janet Elizabeth (Cleary) Mellor passed away at her home on May 28, 2025.

Born in Lawrence, Massachusetts on September 9, 1943 to Tom and Evelyn (Criticos) Cleary, Janet grew up in a classic New England triple-decker surrounded by her close relatives.  This closeness instilled in her a deep love of family that gave her immeasurable joy throughout her life.

Janet was the oldest of Tom and Evelyn’s four children and she enjoyed being the light of her mother’s life when her father was serving during World War II. She recalled watching him shaving upon his return and thinking that she “didn’t know who this person was and wasn’t sure she liked him,” but she learned to share both of her parents with Michael, Christine and Susan as they came along, with everyone staying close and involved with their lives’ ups and downs.

After graduating from Tenney High School in 1961, Janet pursued her life’s goal to become a nurse by attending Lawrence General’s nursing school. Soon after, she became a mother when her sons Thomas and Richard were born.

Janet met John Mellor in 1982, marrying in 1984. While they traveled as far away as Hawaii, their greatest pleasure was hosting gatherings of their extended family – every holiday was an open house and all were greeted heartily and with open arms. John’s passing during the recent holiday season was especially difficult.

Janet is predeceased by her parents and husband, brother Michael Cleary and sister Christine Cleary, and her especially close cousin Maureen Phelps and her husband Joseph. She leaves her sons Richard Dooley of North Salem, N.H., Tom Dooley and his wife Michele Angers of Contoocook, N.H., sister Susan Jutras of Londonderry, N.H., and many nieces and nephews from her extended family circle, as well as friends dating back to her days in Brownies.

Visiting hours for Janet will take place on June 4, 2025 from 4pm to 7pm at the Dewhirst Boles Funeral Home, Methuen, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.

May we all leave others with as many memorable stories as Janet has!

Please visit www.dewhirstbolesfuneral.com for directions, or to sign the online guest book.

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