Janie L. (Miller) Churchill

Shelburne – Janie L. (Miller) Churchill, 76, passed away on February 9, 2025 after a lengthy illness.  She would have been 77 years old on February 14, 2025.  She was born on February 14, 1948, the daughter of Raymond and Ellen (Purington) Miller.  Janie grew up in Colrain.  She attended the Colrain Grammar School, and graduated from Arms Academy in 1966.  Janie enlisted in the United States Navy after graduation.  She served her tour of duty at Norfolk VA.

Janie was married to Donald Churchill from Shelburne on August 10, 1968.  They enjoyed 56 years of marriage together.  At the time of their wedding, Don was in the United States Army, stationed at West Point Military Academy. They moved to, Augusta GA , where Don was stationed at Fort Gordon. Don was discharged from the army in June 1970. They moved to Heath MA where they raised  their four children until 1999. They then relocated to Shelburne Center, where they lived until the present.  Beginning in 2007, they spent the winters in Fort Myers FL, where they had many friends.

Janie was a life long member of Living Waters Assembly of God Church in Greenfield.  She taught Sunday School, worked in the nursery, and worked with the Royal Rangers.  Janie taught herself to play violin and saxophone.  She played faithfully every Sunday at Living Waters and the Holiday Condo Park Church in Fort Myers.  Janie was a devoted follower of Christ.

Janie had a very strong work ethic. She worked at Valley View, Bishops, and Pine Hill Orchards. Some of her many  tasks included pruning trees, driving tractors and trailers, bringing 20 bushel bins to the storage , packing apples, and taking school kids on tours through the orchards.  She loved nature and the outdoors.  She loved flowers and shrubs.  She planted many flower gardens and shrubs around her home. It gave her great pleasure to turn the space around her home into a beautiful spot.  Janie loved to be outside walking.

 Family and friends were very important to Janie.  She made sure everyone received a Christmas card, and she loved to attend family reunions. She also took up golf in later years.  It allowed her to be outside and it was something she and Don enjoyed together. 

Janie was a loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother to her family, and a true friend to many.  Survivors include her husband and best friend Don , their sons Michael (Leanne) of Washington IL,  Arthur Churchill of Colrain, Jonathan (Kim) of Deerfield, daughter Angela Churchill Martin of Colrain, seven grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She also leaves a brother Gary Miller (Janet) and a sister Janice Barnes  ( Rusty), all of Colrain, her brothers in law Dennis (Janet) Churchill of Greenfield, and Daniel (Megg) of Deerfield. She was predeceased by her sister in law Brenda Churchill Parker and her mother and  father.

A special word of thanks to Rev David Levendusky and Dr. Richard Warner, and the many friends and family for their care and concern over the last few years.

A time of Visitation and a Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.

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