Janet L. (Cangiano) O’Leary – 62, of North Reading, formerly of East Boston, passed away peacefully on April 30, 2022, surrounded with love.
She was a graduate of Julie Billiart Central High School and Mount Ida Junior College, and completed her Bachelor of Science Degree at Suffolk University. Although she enjoyed her days working for Eastern Airlines, her true calling was raising her children and treasuring her time with her grandchildren.
Known to her loved ones as “Mimi,” she went to great lengths to make every moment a memory, and every gathering a special occasion. She absolutely loved and adored her children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Mimi never met a Disney princess she didn’t like, and, for the children, she would always bring them to life. She knew how to make a house a home, and was an expert in many things, including sewing, crafting—and napping.
To know her was to love her. If anyone came to Janet in a time of need, she went above and beyond—and would give them, quite literally, the shirt off her back and the shoes off her feet, without hesitation, and without expecting anything in return. When she wasn’t doting on her grandchildren, she was in her element bargain shopping with her lifelong friend Frani, and taking long drives in classic cars with her loving husband Paul. Her love and affection for family and friends knew no bounds.
Janet is survived by her beloved husband of twenty-eight years, Paul O’Leary of North Reading, and her mother, Marie Dalton of Saugus. She was a loving mother and parent to Michele Reid and her husband Justin, Paul M. Donatelli, and Nicole Coviello and her husband Jared, all of North Reading, Jennifer Demers and her husband Greg of Middleton, and Paul O’Leary Jr. and his wife Lyndsay of Ladson, SC. She is also survived by her siblings Pat Cangiano and his wife Jean of North Reading, Denise Herland and her husband John of Wakefield, Biaggio Cangiano and his wife Jaime of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, and Lydia Cangiano of West Palm Beach, FL, as well as her many nieces and nephews, and her grandchildren Mia, Gabriella, Bronwynn, Wesley, Lorenzo, Elle, Isabella, and Isla.
Janet is now reunited with her birth parents, the late Basil Cangiano and Mary Scalfani Cangiano.
Janet passed away following a brief and courageous battle with leukemia that extinguished her life but not her light. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her memory to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, to support the amazing team of medical professionals searching for a cure. https://www.dana-farber.org/how-you-can-help/ways-to-give/make-a-memorial-or-tribute-gift/
Her funeral will be held from Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Friday, May 6, at 9:15 A.M. followed by a 10:30 A.M. Funeral Mass at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street, North Reading. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, May 5 from 4 to 8 P.M. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com
Paul my sincere condolence, try to be strong! The Tryder Family!
So sorry to hear thoughts and prayers to the O’Leary’s
Paul. Sorry for your loss my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. God bless.
Great lady Great friend RIP Lovely Lady
My Sincere Condolences To Your Family God Bless You All During This Difficult Time
Sending our deepest condolences and prayers to the O’Leary family. We’re hoping that cherished memories may bring you some comfort. Wishing you peace during this difficult time.
Very sorry for your loss. Treasure the memories…
Our sincere deepest condolences to the entire O’Leary family for your loss. A wonderful and loving woman who is gone too soon and will be missed by many.
To Paul and all your family, I’m very sorry for your loss and my deepest condolences.
Dear Paul and Family, Janet was a ray of sunshine each and every day…and always be. Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers. Sheila Wildman
Paul and family, So sorry for your loss. Janet was a wonderful woman! She will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all . The Driver Family
Paul and family, So sorry for your loss. Janet was a wonderful woman! She will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all . The Driver Family
Paul, So sorry for your loss. Janet was a special person to so many. Our Prayers and thoughts to you and your entire extended family.
My sincere condolences to Paul and his family, your mom was a great woman and now she is in heaven with all the angels. Lina Bernardo
So sorry for your loss. Thinking of you and the family in my prayers.
To Paul and family, sorry very sorry for your tremendous loss. Janet was a wonderful and loving person who will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all in this most difficult of times.
Paul, my most sincere and deepest sympathy for you and your family. Janet was a family staple and she was always there for a family event. I have a picture with her from when I was 16 years old and now I’m 48 years old. Janet was always smiling, friendly, loving and proud of who she was as a Wife, mom, grandmom (mimi), sister, and daughter. She will be terribly missed.
Paul and family, so sorry for your loss, may all your memories bring comfort to you.
Tim and Heidi Spencer
So sorry for your loss, Our deepest condenses to you and your family
Prayers to Janet’s friends and family. Thinking of you all during this incredibly difficult time.
Dear Paul & Family, my prayers go out to all of you. Janet was a beautiful person and I always enjoyed our conversations about the Grandbabies. Janet will be missed by so many. My thoughts & prayers to you all.
My deepest regret Paul and family, may God guide you at this difficult time.