Obituary: Janyce (Gannon) Gilman, 88, of Branford

Obituary courtesy of W. S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home:

Janyce (Gannon) Gilman, age 88, of Branford, passed away peacefully with her family beside her on Tuesday, January 24, 2023.

She was born in New Haven to the late Walter and Anna (Meroth) Gannon. Janyce was predeceased by her loving husband, Robert Gilman after 51 years of marriage. She was also predeceased by her brothers, Edward J. and Walter F. Gannon and two sisters, Ann (Nancy) Halligan and Arlene Murphy.

Janyce is survived by her only daughter Susan, five sons, Robert, Stephen (Fanny) Michael (Linda), Patrick, Matthew (Megan); eight beloved grandchildren; Morgan, Kacey, Alejandro, Stephen, Nicole, Matthew, James and Nora, sisters, Marilyn Kozin (Bohdan) and Margie Slater (Bill); and 20 adoring nieces and nephews.

Janyce graduated from Sacred Heart Grammar School and St. Mary’s High School, Class of 1951. She returned to school to receive her Bachelor of Science in Human Services from New Hampshire College at the age of 50. She attended Southern Connecticut State University for her Masters in Social Work. Janyce was employed for the US Department of Higher Education as a social services coordinator and as an education counselor for the disadvantaged under a federal grant program that served the Greater New Haven area, based at Gateway Community College on Long Wharf. She was the Social Service Director for the Head Start West Haven Community House.

Both she and Bob enjoyed traveling throughout the US and Europe. They both served as Eucharistic ministers at Our Lady of Victory Church, additionally, she was a CCD instructor for 20 years. Janyce volunteered at Columbus House in New Haven and was very involved in Catholic Social Action. She loved serving her community whether in West Haven, California, Florida, or Branford, which was due to her love for people and serving others.

Janyce will be remembered most for the way she made people feel special and loved. She remained intelligent and interesting in this ever changing and evolving world, and her opinion and advice was sought after by many as she was held in such high esteem and with great respect. She had an incredibly contagious laugh that was distinct and heartwarming. She grew up with a strong sense of family and retained details of her life with her ancestors that she shared often times. She was a great family historian, and her attention for such detail accompanied her Irish gift of storytelling.

We will miss her raspy voice and twinkling blue eyes. And how she made us all feel so special. She now leaves us guided by love and angels.

Visiting hours are Sunday afternoon from 3:00 – 5:00 PM at the W. S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home, 244 North Main Street, Branford. Her funeral will leave from the funeral home Monday morning at 9:30 for a Mass of Christian Burial in St. John Bosco Parish at St. Mary Church, 731 Main Street, Branford at 10:00. Burial will follow in All Saints Cemetery.