Enjoyed needle working, winters in Florida and Boston Red Sox
MELROSE — Janet E. (MacKay) McNary, a longtime resident of Melrose passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at Tufts Medical Center in Boston on Sunday, September 29 at age 85.
Janet was born in Somerville on August 25, 1939, one of two daughters of the late Wilbert F. MacKay and Marjorie (Curtis) MacKay. Raised and educated in Somerville, she married her high school sweetheart Frank McNary and established a life together of love and laughter surrounded by friends and family. As Somerville natives, they lived in Medford before establishing roots in Melrose while raising their growing family of four children.
Janet stayed home when her children were young to help with all the activities, serve on PTOs and instill her love in each of them. She then went to work at Sears in Burlington where her charm and love for people shined as a Sales Clerk. With her outgoing personality and sense of humor, Janet made friends everywhere becoming a well-known fixture at the store. She also developed dear friendships with coworkers that carried on many years into retirement.
In addition to her dedication to family and work, Janet was a strong and steadfast member, volunteer and supporter of the First United Methodist Church in Melrose. As a young mother, she developed bonds within the Church where she raised her family and continued attending every Sunday for the rest of her life. She contributed greatly to the success of Church events including the Church fair which she helped run for many years.
In her free time, Janet and Frank enjoyed any activity that included their four children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She led many trips to the Gloucester beaches with the car packed of family and friends to spend the day in the sun. With a love for arts and crafts, she developed the skill of needleworking and made bibs for each of her grandchildren. Later in life, she and Frank enjoyed winters in Florida with friends and regular visits from family. Always on the move, she also enjoyed dear friends from her weekly bowling leagues and lunch clubs. After years of hearing the game from another room, she became an enthusiastic and knowledgeable Red Sox fan sharing the love of baseball with Frank.
Janet lived passionately and fully for her family especially her beloved husband Frank. She shared a bond of mutual love and admiration that carried throughout their lives together and continued to inspire her after Frank’s passing in 2021. She never gave up and carried on his traditions with a strong will and loving dedication. Her love for family was paramount and her impact will continue on in the hearts and minds of her family. May she rest in peace.
Janet was the beloved wife of the late Frank H. McNary. Devoted mother of Kathy Ciampa and her husband Michael of Middleton; Steven McNary and his wife Pamela of Easton, NH; David McNary and his wife Wanda of FL; and Keith McNary and his wife Catherine of St. Charles, MO. Dear sister of the late Joan Toler. Proud grandmother of Mac, Zachary, Cassandra, Jamie Lee, Andrew, Paige and Steven. Also survived by six great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends were invited to gather during visiting hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Thursday, October 3 from 4 to 8 p.m. and for her funeral service at the First United Methodist Church, 645 Main St., Melrose celebrated on Friday, October 4 at 10 a.m. Interment in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody. Gifts in memory of Janet may be made to First United Methodist Church, 645 Main St., Melrose, MA 02176. For online tribute visit RobinsonFuneralHome.com.
