White River Jct., VT – Janice M. Spydell, 86, died Thursday September 11, 2014 at Valley Terrace in Wilder, VT

She was born August 8, 1928 in Hartford, CT a daughter of Gordon H. and Sarah Elizabeth (Hewitt) Merrill. Janice grew up on a farm outside of Hartford, CT and later graduated from Bloomfield High School and then the Hartford Hospital School of Nursing in 1949 where she began her career as a registered nurse. She was married to Dennis Edward Spydell in 1950 and they began their family in Simsbury, CT before moving to Tenafly, NJ in 1960. From New Jersey the Spydells relocated to Moultonborough, NH where together they owned and operated "The Old Country Store". In 1972 Janice moved to the Upper Valley where she spent the rest of her life. Janice resumed her nursing career, first at Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital in Hanover, NH, and then for more than 20 years at the VA Medical Center in White River Junction, VT, where she worked until her retirement in 1996.

She enjoyed serving on the Vermont Ethics Network through her employment at the VA Hospital, past President of the Local Chapter of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses and with the League of Women Voters in Tenafly. She was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Upper Valley, an active participant in the ILEAD program at Dartmouth since its inception and frequently took advantage of the offerings of the Dartmouth Film Society.

Janice had an active life. She greatly enjoyed family affairs and holidays, and hosted croquet picnics in her yard and cookie-making classes in her kitchen over many years. She supported her children and grandchildren by attending their numerous athletic and academic events. She was always generous in opening her home to those who needed comfort and support.

Janice is predeceased by her husband, Dennis, and is survived by her children; Randy Spydell of Grand Junction, CO, Steven Spydell of Independence, MO, David M. Spydell of Claremont, NH and Lynn S. Wheatley of South Royalton, VT; her grandchildren Rusty Spydell, Kate Spydell, Carly (Spydell) Allegri, Matthew Spydell, Alan Spydell, Mark Spydell, Christopher Wheatley and Jennifer Wheatley and her great-grandchildren Lorelei and Dominic Allegri.

In Janice's spirit of an open home, the family will be hosting an "Open House" at her home, 659 VA Cutoff Road, White River Jct., VT on Sunday September 21st from 1-6pm. Please feel free to stop in and visit with family and friends in celebration of Janice's life.

Memorial contributions in Janice's name may be made to Vermont Ethics Network, 61 Elm Street, Montpelier, VT 05602.