Janice M. (Fortini) Burkins

On May 12, 2016, Janice Mae (Fortini) Burkins passed away peacefully at Baystate Medical Center. The daughter of the late Leon and Florette (Ledoux) Fortini, Jan was born on April 10, 1943 in Springfield, Massachusetts. A graduate of Springfield's High School of Commerce, Jan was a receptionist for HealthSouth in Ludlow when she retired in 2015. Jan was very active in the community and always enjoyed helping others. She was elected to the Wilbraham Housing Authority in 1992 and chaired the Authority board twice during her tenure. Jan was past President of the Wilbraham Women's Club, the St. Cecilia's Women's Club and past Secretary of the Wilbraham Republican Town Committee. She also volunteered for many church and charitable programs over the years. She loved animals, especially dogs and enjoyed watching birds come to visit her bird feeders. She loved the peacefulness and beauty of the ocean, especially her favorite place by the sea, Ogunguit, Maine, where she spent many vacations with her husband, family and friends. She leaves her husband of 54 years, Kirk E. Burkins of Wilbraham, her sister, Barbara J. Piner of Wilbraham, her three sons, Charles L. and his wife Grace of Bridport, Vermont; Scott E. and his wife Lisa of Wilbraham and Jason A. of Wilbraham as well as five grandchildren, Matthew, Brittany, Andrew, Peter and Patricia, her aunt Jeannette Ledoux of Springfield and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Visitation will be held on Monday, May 16th from 4:00 � 7:00 pm at Wilbraham Funeral Home, 2551 Boston Rd., Wilbraham. Janice�s Funeral will be Tuesday at 9:00 am from Wilbraham Funeral Home to a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am at St. Cecilia�s Church, 42 Main St., Wilbraham, followed by burial in Gate of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Shriners� Hospital for Children, 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104.