Janet Leibowitz Picheny, 77, of Longboat Key, FL, passed away from blood cancer on September 9, 2024.
Janet was raised in Roosevelt and Freeport, NY. It was in Freeport at Baldwin Junior High School that
Janet met her future husband, David. Janet graduated from Baldwin Senior High School in 1965 and went on to receive her undergraduate degree from SUNY Brockport and master’s degree in education from Hofstra University. Janet and David were married on July 5, 1970 and raised their family in Sharon, MA before retiring to Boston and then Longboat Key, FL.
Janet was a passionate educator with a teaching career spanning nearly 40 years. She began her career
as an English teacher at Walt Whitman High School and Kings Park High School, and continued on to
teach English at Sharon High School and serve as the Head of Curriculum Development for grades 6-12 in the Sharon Public Schools. Janet is remembered by countless students as a teacher who made them feel valued and supported, and by colleagues as an influential and caring mentor. Even in her retirement,
Janet continued to mentor the next generation of teachers.
Of all of her accomplishments, Janet considered her daughters Michelle and Marisa to be her greatest
achievement and the joy and pride of her life. That pride extended to her grandchildren, James, Stella,
Addie and Lyla.
Janet was a voracious reader and avid gardener with a special love for daylilies. She enjoyed the simple
pleasures of waking up to a beautiful sunrise, walking on the beach, chocolate, cuddling with her dogs,
and seeing her favorite flowers emerge after the cold winter. Most of all, Janet loved to travel with David.
Together, they shared wonderful adventures to England, Portugal, Paris, Italy, Spain, Israel, Greece and
Aruba.
Janet was a pillar of strength who fought her cancer until her last breath. She is survived by her loving
husband of 54 years David; daughters Michelle (Ben) Langille of Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA and Marisa
(Adam) Goldberg of Ardsley, NY; grandchildren James, Stella, Addie and Lyla; brothers Donald and Bruce
Leibowitz, both of Boynton Beach, FL; sister- and brother-in-laws Robin and Leslie Leibowitz, and Steven, Helice, and Sandy Picheny; and countless other family members and friends who love her dearly. She was preceded in death by her parents, I. Marvin Leibowitz and Judith Leibowitz Feist, and brother-in-law Robert Picheny.
Janet was a thankful breast cancer survivor and was eternally grateful to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for
their compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, donations in her name may be made to Dana-Farber
Funeral services will be held Thursday, Sept. 12 at 11:00 am at Mt. Ararat Cemetery,1165 NY 109 West
Lindenhurst, NY
Please meet at cemetery office 10-15 minutes prior
All are welcome to gather and share memories of Janet following the funeral service at Marisa's home:
9 Eastern Road
Hartsdale, NY 10530
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