Janice Halliwell, 83, of Bradenton, Fla., died peacefully Sept. 11, 2023. Born to Howard and Bernice Dukeshire in Melrose, Mass., Janice grew up in York Beach, Maine. She thoroughly enjoyed her days on the beach and at Nubble Lighthouse with her friends, brother Howard Dukeshire Jr. and his wife Mary Dukeshire Hipple (both predeceased) and their sons, Robert and Ken Dukeshire.
Janice graduated from Colby College, majoring in French and education, where she met her lifelong friend, Mary Jane. After traveling through Europe, Mary Jane and Janice moved to Groton to teach French and Spanish at Fitch Senior High School. While teaching, Janice met the love of her life, Thomas Halliwell. They married in 1965, and had their children, Holly and Joel.
Janice returned to teaching French in 1977, at West Side Junior High and Cutler Junior High Schools in Groton. She shared her love of language and travel, enriching the lives of her students. She led numerous student trips to Canada, France, Spain, and Australia.
She valued the many lifelong friendships she made with her colleagues, neighbors and former students. Janice continued her education, enrolling in summer studies in France and Spain, enlarging her circle of international friends along the way.
She also worked with the Groton Senior Citizens taking them on many trips sharing her love for travel and organizational skills. When she wasn't globetrotting, Janice could be found tending to her beautiful garden by the pool.
Tom and Janice were happily married for 58 years, during which time they traveled extensively together and retired to Bradenton, Fla. Janice was very active in her Mt. Vernon retirement community enjoying the garden club, organizing various fundraisers and again collecting loving friends.
Janice adored the spouses her children chose and delighted in planning their weddings. They were thrilled that she shared her talents making their wedding cakes and flowers. She was an amazing grandmother to her four grandchildren with whom she shared her love of the ocean, travel, skiing and even Jimmy Buffett.
Music brought Janice great peace in this last stage of life and we hope she is singing along with Jimmy now. She suffered from dementia for many years, but Tom was unfaltering in his love, devotion and care of her. Thus, she remained grateful and joyful.
Janice is survived by her husband Thomas; daughter Holly Bresnahan married to Jeffrey; son Joel married to Julie; and grandchildren, Charlie and Molly Bresnahan and Sean and Erin Rose Halliwell.
A family Celebration of Janice's Life will be planned at a later date. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory, 26th Street Chapel, Bradenton, Fla. is in charge of the arrangements.
