Janet C. (Goebel) Dunshee

WEST BROOKFIELD – Janet C. (Goebel) Dunshee, 78, formerly of Holden, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 9, 2015 at Harrington Memorial Hospital in Southbridge, after a lengthy illness. Born and raised in Maplewood, New Jersey, Janet was the daughter of Frederick and Katherine (Sonnick) Goebel and lived 36 years in Holden before moving to West Brookfield in 2009.

She leaves her beloved husband of 52 years, Theodore “Ted” D. Dunshee; three daughters, Sarah A. Mello and her husband, Charles of Rutland, Allison D. Rose and her husband, Daniel of Farmington, CT and Christine D. Peterson of Barre; two brothers, Frederick Goebel of North Brunswick, NJ and Robert J. Goebel and his wife, Joan of Midlothian, VA. Janet was blessed with six grandchildren, Lindsey and Samantha Mello, Helen and Michael Rose, and Jack and Shane Peterson; and many nieces, nephews and relatives. She also leaves her close relatives in Germany.

Janet graduated from Columbia High School in 1955 and received her bachelor degree in education from Trenton State Teacher’s College in 1959. She held various positions in Human Resources throughout her distinguished career and retired from UMass Memorial Medical Center in 2002. Previously, Janet worked at the former Freedom Federal Savings Bank and Northeast Savings Bank both in Worcester. She was a devout Catholic and was a member of Our Lady of Sacred Heart Church in West Brookfield and St Raphael’s in Englewood FL. She was a former member of St. Mary’s Church in Jefferson.

Before retiring to their home on Lake Wickaboag, Janet and Ted spent time traveling, enjoying family gatherings and making new friends in West Brookfield. For the last thirteen years, she wintered with Ted in Englewood, Florida, where they escaped from the cold New England winters (departing as soon as possible after the first autumn leaves appeared). Playing a friendly game of Gin Rummy or Scrabble with Janet was not for the faint of heart; she expected a challenge. She was a voracious reader and loved to play bridge. She enjoyed crossword puzzles, Sudoku and an occasional well-deserved manhattan.
First and foremost, Janet was proud of her daughters, their many accomplishments and always encouraged them to become “the best versions of themselves”. She will be sorely missed by those who were graced to have known her, and will be remembered for her kind, steady and gentle yet spirited and feisty nature.


Janet was a patient and loving wife and mother with unfathomable strength and faith. Throughout her illness she maintained a positive outlook and made the best of everyday. We are grateful to our Dad for always taking care of Mom. Our family would like to extend a special thank you to her caring doctors in Florida, Drs. DeLeon and Maun and their teams. Here in Massachusetts, Dr. Kluger and his team for the compassion and comfort they all provided to both Mom and Dad while overseeing her treatment throughout the years.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Janet’s family from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, June 12, at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 13, at Our Lady of Sacred Heart Church, 10 Milk St., West Brookfield. Interment will be held privately at Grove Cemetery in Holden. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the West Brookfield Rescue Squad, PO Box 540, West Brookfield MA 01585.

To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit our "Guest Book" here on this page.