Janet Octavia Kearney, age 84, of Hamlin passed away Monday, February 23, 2026, after a brief illness. She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Joseph Lawrence Kearney, in 2018.

Janet was born February 3, 1942, in New York City, NY. She was the daughter of the late Edward and Marion Dietrich and sister of “Bill” William (Babara) Dietrich of Troy, NY. Janet was raised in Forestburg, NY, and maintained a lifelong friendship with Judy (Woods) Stringer from high school, through nursing school, until her passing. While in Forestburg, Janet met the love her life, Joe. She attended St. Catherine's School of Nursing and shortly after graduation she and Joe married. As a young couple they briefly lived in Flushing, Queens before settling down on Long Island to raise their three daughters in Nesconset. They were never short of friends, whether it be many cousins, couples from the local volunteer fire company or neighbors.

Janet was always the “caregiver” and worked as a registered nurse at Smithtown General Hospital on Long Island in the ICU, and Emergency Department. She loved her role as a nurse and always came home with stories of the “night shift” in the ER. Janet worked the night shift for many years, so she was available for her daughters each day. After years of skiing at Tanglewood Ski Area in Tafton, she and Joe built a winter home and in 1986 became fulltime residents. Janet continued working as a nurse at Wayne Memorial and later in several physicians’ offices. She maintained close ties with many nursing school girlfriends and proudly celebrated her “60th St. Catherines reunion with them in 2022. In her spare time Janet often sewed and crocheted many cherished blankets, Christmas stockings, and baby items over the years.

She is survived by daughters: Joan Badoud (Michael) of Tafton, Jeanne Kavanaugh (Jim) of Schenectady, NY and Jackie Kearney-Kopesky of Honesdale; her grandchildren: Connor Badoud, Tanner Badoud and Maria Hilbert (fiancée), Sheamus Kavanaugh, Jillian Kavanaugh and John Ragozzino (fiancé), Devon, Gavin, Brayden, Caralena, Garrison, Gunner, Colton and Violet Kopesky; and her beloved cat, Impy. She treasured her many good friends and times playing dominos and doing puzzles at Hamlin Heights, and the care and support of her health aides Beverly and Jeanie. The family would like to extend their deep appreciation to Dr. Kovalchick for his compassionate care and kindness to Janet over the years, but especially during her most recent hospitalization.

Janet had been a member of BVM Queen of Peace RC Church in Hawley. A private cremation was held at Lake Region Crematory, Lake Ariel. The Family has chosen to honor Janet’s memory with a Celebration of her Life to held at a date and time to be announced.

Memorial gifts may be made to Hamlin Senior Center, Attn: Becky, PO Box 278, Hamlin, PA 18427.