Janet Rathbun Prout

Janet R. Prout of Chatham and Boston passed away on June 4, 2015 after a brief illness. Janet was born on January 29, 1913, at home on the family farm in Hebron, CT during a blizzard with the doctor arriving by horse and sleigh. She was the daughter of Annie Charlotte Bjorklund Rathbun and Clarence Post Rathbun. She was a loyal sister to Ruth Alling, Gladys Anderson, Mary Sheffield, Annie Hall, Clarence Rathbun (her twin brother), Gordon Rathbun and, the loving and caring mother to sons, John A. Prout, Jr and Gerald R. Prout. Janet leaves her daughter, Harriet A. Prout, of Chatham and Boston, with whom she shared a dedication to family, and her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Following in her mother’s footsteps, she exceled at preparing meals and baking breads, parker house rolls, and desserts for family dinners, holiday gatherings and entertaining throughout the year. She was an avid vegetable and flower gardener with a passion for orchids. For two decades, Janet held the offices of VP and Sec in her husband’s business, John A. Prout Contractor, maintaining all the daily office responsibilities.

She was a lifelong member of the Congregational Church with 50+ years devoted to the Portland Congregational Church in CT actively participated on committees and fundraising – spending numerous hours baking breads, Swedish pasties, pies; sewing thousands of hand sewn Christmas ornaments; knitting baby hats and sweaters; and organizing many of the functions of the annual rummage sale. Janet quietly dedicated her life to serve others. She volunteered for the Portland VNA by visiting local residents and neighbors confined to home. Year after year, she made her visits and assisted others with their needs. During that same time, she volunteered at the Middlesex Memorial Hospital in various assignments and was one of the first to be asked to volunteer on the newly created Hospice Unit. This assignment proved to be invaluable to the hospital and very rewarding to her.

As Janet approached June 4th, it was Janet and her family who were receiving the dignity and compassion from Hospice. Donations may be sent to Broad Reach Hospice & Palliative Care, 390 Orleans Road, No. Chatham, MA 02650.

A private family memorial service is planned.