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Janet (Coffin) Paxton, 98, of Franklin, died peacefully on Sunday, March 30, 2025, surrounded by her family at Ellis Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Norwood.
Born in Newton on November 23, 1926, she was the daughter of the late Francis B. and Elsie (Rhodes) Coffin.
Janet was a longtime resident of Franklin. She grew up in Newton and graduated from Newton High School in 1944.
Janet earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Boston University in 1944 and was inducted into the Pi Lambda Theta National Honor Society for women in education. She taught school for 31 ½ years, the last 27 in Franklin, and enjoyed working with children and teaching.
Janet was an active member of the Franklin Federated Church and volunteered for FISH of Franklin. She was also an active member of the Franklin Senior Center and the Red Hat Society. She enjoyed reading, travelling and loved music of all kinds. After her retirement she became an avid line dancer and ballroom dancer.
Janet was married to Harold Paxton in 1949 until his death in 1998.
She is survived by two daughters, Ruth and her husband Barry, and Kathryn and her husband Phillip. She was the mother of the late Harold, Franklin and Jon Paxton.
She is also survived by four granddaughters, five great-grandchildren, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
She was the sister of the late Eliot Coffin, Hazel Fullerton, Gladys Carbary, and Callie Muldoon.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend her funeral service on Friday, April 4 at the Franklin Federated Church, 171 Main Street in Franklin at 11 a.m. Burial will take place at Union Street Cemetery in Franklin.
Calling hours will be held on Friday morning from 9 – 11 a.m. in the church prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, expression of sympathy may be made in Janet’s memory to the Franklin Federated Church, 171 Main St., Franklin, MA 02038.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of the Ginley Funeral Home of Franklin, 131 Main Street in Franklin ginleyfuneralhomes.com
