Janet M. Maguire

Mrs. Janet M. (Duffy) Maguire, of Waltham, died Wednesday, June 28, 2023, her 88^th birthday, in Maristhill Nursing Home following a period of declining health.

Janet was born in Waltham, a daughter of the late Lawrence and Alice (Quirk) Duffy, and was a 1953 graduate of Waltham High School.

She married Watertown native John J. ‘Jack’ Maguire on September 28, 1957 in Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church in Waltham and soon moved to Saint Jude’s Parish where they were long active in church and school activities.

Janet worked for years in the outpatient and emergency room registration desk at Waltham Hospital where her warm smile and gentle nature calmed the anxieties of patients and their families.  She was kind, caring and compassionate and a model of efficiency in moving things along during a busy shift.

After the hospital, she went to work for the City of Waltham, first at the Bright School and then in the city clerk’s office. Janet was also a longtime volunteer at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge where she was a board member of the hospital auxiliary.

Following retirement she and Jack spent many happy winters vacationing in Naples, Florida.  They were ever present at their grandchildren’s school and sporting events and were among their most vociferous supporters.

In addition to her beloved husband of sixty-five years, Jack, she leaves her children, John Maguire (Brenda), Kelly Merrifield (David), all of Waltham and Thomas Maguire (Linda) of Essex, Vermont; her grandchildren, Michael Merrifield (Nicole), Matthew Merrifield, Sean Maguire (Jessica), Kevin Maguire, Christopher Maguire and Brianna Maguire; her great-grandchildren, Teagan and Declan Merrifield; her brother, Paul Duffy (Edna) of Georgia and several nieces, nephews and their families.

Janet was also a sister of the late John Duffy, Alice Duffy and US Army Lieut. Lawrence Duffy, Jr.

Family and friends will honor and remember Janet's life by gathering in Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church, 880 Trapelo Road, Waltham, on Thursday, July 6th where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 12 noon.