Loving Mother, Partner, and Friend
November 28, 1950 - December 10, 2020
Janet Lange Squires, 70, of Bridgeport, CT passed away at St. Vincent's hospital on Thursday, December 10th of complications from cancer. Janet was born at Manhattan Presbyterian Hospital to Norma Holloway and Derek Squires and was raised in Carle Place, Long Island. She was an avid reader, lover of golden age cinema, talented singer and cross-stitch artist. Janet was known and loved for her quick wit, willingness to always speak her mind, generosity, sense of humor and her animated laugh. She is survived by her three children; Emily, Frank, and Nora; her two grandchildren; Dustin and Derek, four step-children Seth, Caitlin, Carly, Mollie, and her long time partner, Daniel.
Two Peas in a Pod
Janet and I met in the spring of 2000. We had our first date and kiss on June 23 and were soon finishing each other's sentences and thoughts. That first kiss lasted our 20 years together during which we shared nearly every minute of our lives; our children, work, play and family.
Janet was vital, passionate, and unconditional. From her singing, to needlework, to baking Janet immersed herself in her talents. Her perfect pitch was put to outstanding use with the Old Mill Singers as well as her knowledge of music, from classical to pop culture. Her needlework was much admired and she shared her prowess with our girls and her network of needle craft sisters. She would often accompany me on my jobs and always kept her bag in hand so she could work while waiting. Passionate to the very end, several cross-stitch projects are still in progress. Her popovers and fudge cake cookies were awaited for at family gatherings with open hands and hearts. We also complimented each other in the garden, with me as the green thumb and her as flower garden designer. Her choice of heirloom roses, inspired by her mother Norma and aunt Pidge, never disappointed.
Our shared search for the simple life and love of travel inspired our passion for agricultural fairs. We criss-crossed Connecticut and began forays into Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island. Our trips to Brimfield Antique Week were legendary and eventually our children and their spouses joined in. Promises of good weather were always looked forward to for motorcycle rides.
Janet was the emotional strength in our relationship and our combined family of seven children. She taught me to love unconditionally and to recognize what is important in life.
Stand By Me
Mama was my best friend. She's everything warm in my memories. Whether that's her and Daisy waking me up by tickling my nose, trips to Disney with Emily, rewatching the same Brit-Com series for who knows how many times, and quiet moments of sentimental nostalgia. I simply loved being with her. I think she loved me and my siblings the way every mother should. Entirely selfless, unconditional, and full of passion. Thanks to her, we have an appreciation for art, music, fun, and imagination. We have distinct morals and empathy so necessary in this world. Mom never cared about what you were so long as you were kind and good. She accepted me as I was and was always so incredibly proud of me even when I felt I didn't deserve it. I always worried Mom sacrificed her ambitions too much for our sake but she told me that no greater achievement could make her feel more fulfilled than watching us grow. And that is probably the greatest honor I'll ever know.
Despite how unfair it is that cancer took her from us so soon, the many days I spent with her in the hospital was possibly the most intimate and important I had with her. Most days all she wanted was for me to rub her back, sit with her, and quietly listen to music to help comfort her through her pain. Music was already so integral to all four of us, but now I feel a palpable connection to her whenever I listen to those same tracks. I made a playlist of those songs and more so that everyone could glimpse at the diverse, wonderful person my mom was, and use its ability to reconnect with her whenever we need her presence.
The most important thing to me now is keeping Mama alive in every way I can. I want everyone to remember what a beautiful, eclectic, funny, strong, nurturing, and singular person she was. And I want to protect her memory so that her positive, warm energy can remain with us for the rest of our lives as well. She may have been proud of me and my siblings, and I'm so grateful for that -- But I hope she knows just how proud I am of her, and that I'll miss her every moment.
Marmee
“My girl, my Jo.” I was my mother’s strong willed, headstrong girl, like Jo March. In turn, she was my firm but kind Marmee, and that’s what I affectionately called her. I have been calling her that name since my youth, and cannot be sure how it exactly started, but it was our own special thing.
Being her eldest child, that connection is special. She was not only my mother, but my best friend. There are moments with her I will treasure always!
My love of movies, music and theatre is due to Marmee. She would show me the classics and musicals, and we would sing and dance along. At my youngest years, I recall watching Meet Me in St. Louis and reenacting the scene with Tootie and Esther singing “Under the Bamboo Tree”. In later years, we would continue the enjoyment of doing numbers together that we would perform “A Couple of Swells” from The Easter Parade in front of a theatre of people.
I loved performing with my mom. She definitely had amazing talent! In voice, comedic timing, dance, she was stupendous! I wish I could have seen her performance as Eliza Doolittle in her high school production of My Fair Lady,
but had a good idea of how fantastic that performance was by hearing her sing those songs as we watched the movie together. When she joined me in becoming apart of the Old Mill Singers, I was so glad to have these weekly nights with my mom, hearing her sing and enjoy the music and the people who made up the local choir.
Mom encouraged each of her kids to use and improve their natural talents, whether that was singing, acting, dancing, drawing, writing, cooking - she wanted us to excel at our passions and hobbies. She was always your #1 fan!
I will miss Marmee so much, words cannot describe. I am so glad and grateful that she was not only there for the birth of her grandson, Derek, but that over the past year-and-half they got to spend some time together, and have numerous video chats. I look forward to sharing all the movies and musicals that his Grammie showed me, and learning the songs and dance numbers together, as I had done with her.
