CORNVILLE – The family of Janet R. Burdet, 72, informs her friends, neighbors, acquaintances, clients and communities she served in her professional career of her passing on Oct. 5, 2022. Janet was the sunshine of her family. She made us happy when skies were gray.

Who was Janet Burdet? In physicality, she was a movie star smile. She was a loving, homemade birthday card, a glittered, laced valentine, a hider of Easter eggs, a seamstress of award winning Halloween costumes. She was very creative with a knack for making anyone’s birthday, holiday, or other celebratory event very personalized and special. She held strong convictions and opinions, and was known to “tell it straight” when you asked for it. She wasn’t above the occasional banter or bicker when discussions tested her personal beliefs. She had a touch of her father’s sense of humor and often found it even in the most challenging of times. She was a masterful planner and organizer, exceptional typist, a jovial pianist, and a dancer of vicarious nature, growing up in the age of Shirley Temple and the early Rock n’ Roll era. Janet loved to play Yahtzee. She was an exceptional cook, preserver of food, and made the most delectable jams, pies, breads, and treats. Her baked goods were so desired by family, friends, and neighbors to the point her husband, Rene, had to firmly defend his rights to the plate of seconds before others swarmed in. Eventually “Janny” began making two of everything “delish”, one for company, and one for Rene. Above all else, she was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother to nine for whom she absolutely radiated with love.

Janet was born on June 10, 1950 and raised in Northfield, Mass. by Howard and Edith Williams. She attended Northfield schools and graduated high school from Pioneer Valley. She attended Greenfield Community College before marrying and starting a family with her first husband, Jeffrey Underwood. Deja and Jacob were born and after a trip across and up and down the United States and a few years living in California, they eventually landed in Athens, Maine.

Janet earned her Medical Assistant Certificate in conjunction with Kennebec Community College, and worked for Sebasticook Valley Hospital in Pittsfield.

In 1984, she married Rene Burdet who completed her. Their three children, Jill, Johanna, and Jordan along with Deja and Jacob, were raised on the farm on Moodytown Road. Janet loved the farm with all her heart. Together, Janet and Rene built a gorgeous pond where weddings and family celebrations were held. Janet worked for 27 years in the Fuel Assistance Program at KVCAP where she genuinely cared for every client. Janet officially retired in June of 2021. Janet is the love of Rene’s life after a marriage of 38 years.

Janet leaves behind her husband Rene; daughters, Deja Anton (Nathaniel) of Browerville, Minn., Jill (Jay) Gabe of Bentonville, Ark., and Johanna Burdet (Jarret) of Palmyra, Maine, sons, Jacob (Anna) Underwood of Cornville, and Jordan (Kati) Burdet of Cornville; sisters Alice Gottardi of Greenfield, Mass., Carolyn (Don) Holden, of Northfield, Mass., Nancy Brackett of Skowhegan, Martha (George) Robison of Burnham, brother Howard James (Colleen) Williams of Cheyenne, Wy.; grandchildren Nathan, Eben, Lily, Maiani, Mahala, Maddy, Samson, Tiger and Heinz; several nieces, nephews, cousins; precious in-laws, the Burdets: Rene Sr. and Katherina, Lyndy, Bill and Ann, Toby and Melanie, Simone and Tobey (Moulton); and extended families, many dear friends and her side-kick, Rangeley. She was predeceased by her parents, Howard and Edith Williams; brother Dennis Williams; and father-in-law, Heinz Fischer.

Burial will be private at the East Ridge Cemetery followed by a small gathering of family and friends at the farm in Cornville.

Mom, we hope you know, dear, how much we love you. You’ll be our sunshine FOREVER and ALWAYS.

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