FRANKLIN: Janice Knight

KNIGHT, Janice T. (Kelley) Of Franklin, passed away peacefully at home and surrounded by her family on January 21, 2026 after a lengthy and valiant struggle with Parkinsonism. Born in Boston on March 13, 1957 to the late Frank and Alice (Walls) Kelley, Janice is survived by her husband, Daniel J. Knight of Franklin, and her children Jennifer L. Knight-Levine (Matthew) of Franklin; Joseph D. (Alli) of West Springfield; Alison K. Blackwell (Shane) of Charlotte, NC; and Kevin F. (Cassidy) of Westminster, VT. Janice is also survived by 9 grandchildren, Connor, Declan, Jamie, Zoey, Xander, Cora, Sloane, Atlas and Augustus. Janice is also survived by her brother, Paul F. Kelley (Donna) of Stratford, CT and sister Susan A. Kelley-Outten (Ben) of Woodstock, VT. She was predeceased by her brother Robert Kelley. Janice also leaves behind her loving nephew Robert Kelley (Elyse) of Franklin and niece Megan Kelley-Crocco (Louis) of New York, NY along with her great-nephew Travis Kelley. 

Janice was raised in Roslindale and graduated from Newman Preparatory School in Boston in 1976 and later the Burdett Secretarial School. She worked for many years at the Corroon & Black Insurance Agency and later at BankBoston Ventures as an executive secretary. Among all other things, Janice loved being a mother and most especially a grandmother. She loved to bake and was known for her congo bars and whoopee pies that always were present at her table during the holidays. Janice loved to craft and spent many hours on crewelwork, needlepoint and assembling intricate puzzles. She would knit hats and scarves and donate them to the homeless veterans at the VA Center in Boston and to other deserving organizations. Janice also participated in the Franklin Meals-On-Wheels program for several years and volunteered on Habitat for Humanity projects in Massachusetts and in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

Visiting hours at the Robert J. Lawler and Crosby Funeral Home, 1803 Centre Street, West Roxbury on Tuesday, January 27th from 3 to 7 PM. The Funeral Mass will be held at Holy Name Church in West Roxbury on Wednesday, January 28th at 10:00 AM. Burial will be at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, 990 LaGrange Street, West Roxbury, MA 02132 thereafter. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Janice’s memory would be greatly appreciated to the SAFE Coalition, 31 Hayward Street, Suite 2C, Franklin, MA 02038 or the Franklin Food Pantry, 341 West Central St, Franklin, MA 02038.