Janet M. (Lobello) Balicki

Janet Marie (LoBello) Balicki passed away at the Mont Marie Rehabilitation and Wellness Center�in Holyoke, MA�on September 30, 2016 .She was born at home on September 26, 1925 and moved from Northampton to Longmeadow 30 years ago. Her husband Roman�Balicki�predeceased her�in 1973; her mother Marie Mandella LoBello, fatherJoseph V. LoBello; her sister and brother-in-law Josephine and Joseph Natale�and brother�Vincent J. LoBello. She is survived by her brother Joseph D. LoBello, his wife Sue and her sister-in-law Regina LoBello. She leaves her five children, Mona Balicki Dec�(David) of So. Hadley; Janet Cooper Spearance (Don) of Sunderland; Stephen Balicki of So. Hadley; Ann Marie Godin (Tim) of Southampton and Nancy Yesu (Deane) of Longmeadow; and many�much loved nieces, nephews and cousins. She leaves�ten loving grandchildren, Kerry Do (Minh); Heather Cooper Marino (Kevin); Emily�Cooper (Jordan), Sarah Godin Leclerc; Jeff Godin (Rose); Rob Balicki (Carolyn); Greg Balicki; John Yesu; Laura Yesu Sullivan (Will) and Julie Yesu. Janet was Great Grammy to Cooper Xavier Marino and Sawyer Roman Marino; Grace Roma Do; Phillip Leclerc and�baby boy�Balicki�due�in�January. A 1942 graduate of Northampton High School, Janet received her Associate�s Degree from Westbrook Jr. College/University of New England, in�Maine and�Northampton Commercial College. She was employed by the Director of Nursing at Cooley Dickinson Hospital, local physicians�and�the Massachusetts Nurse�s Association until her retirement. Janet was full of life�and possessed a passion for learning reflected in her�poetry, needlework, knitting,�gardening�and most recently creating spectacular�watercolor paintings for her grandchildren.�Janet took great pride in sharing her knowledge with her family.�She embraced her Italian heritage. For years,�Janet�researched family ancestry and with her�daughter completed her Italian family genealogy.�She enjoyed attending Andrea�Bocelli�concerts and listening to her favorite Italian composers. She was very involved and ever-present at her grandchildren's sports events, music and�dance performances. Janet was also an avid UCONN women's basketball fan never missing a game. She was a fantastic cook mastering both Italian and Polish cuisines.�Her stuffed artichokes were�a tradition at�family gatherings. Her homemade breadcrumb and Italian cookie recipes will live on through generations in the family cookbook she published for family members. She was known to prepare more food than needed because she wanted�everyone to enjoy the food again the next day. Her famous words were "there's nothing like family"! Because of Janet�s�unrestricted�anatomical donation to�Harvard Medical School, all services will be private and at the convenience of her family. Wilbraham Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations will be�gratefully accepted�by The Greater New England Chapter, Multiple Sclerosis Society, 101A First Avenue, Waltham, MA 02451, in support of daughter Ann Godin.