Janice Josephine (Emery) Barron passed away at the age of 85, on Sept.10, 2025 at Valley Regional Hospital in Claremont, N.H.
Janice was born July 16, 1940 in Hanover, N.H., the daughter of Frank Maurice Emery and Genevieve (Koloski) Emery. She was a graduate of Woodstock Union High School class of 1958.
Janice was born into hardship, and developed a diligent work ethic at an early age. She obtained her first job at age 12 as an elevator operator for the Woodstock Inn, adding to it a second job at age 13 working for the Town Hall Theatre. Following her high school graduation, Janice put herself through the Katharine Gibbs School, completing a two-year program in just one year by doubling up on her work load (and often going without anything to eat).
Shortly after her graduation from Katharine Gibbs, on Sept. 26, 1959, Janice married her high school sweetheart Reginald Barron. As he was enlisted in the navy at the time, Janice and Reg forewent a honeymoon and moved directly to Key West Florida to begin their life together. Janice started her administrative career by securing a job as secretary to the city manager of Key West. Not long after, in March of 1961, they welcomed a daughter Dawn Marie.
In 1964, Reg was transferred for a shore duty tour, and the family moved to Virginia. Janice was hired to run the office for the city of Fairfax Va. It is here that she made a name for herself and gained the impeccable reputation she both earned, and carried, for herself throughout her life.
The family had a brief tenure in Mystic, Conn. where the couple welcomed a second daughter, Elizabeth Ann, in 1966. Then in 1969, when Reg was honorably discharged from the navy, the couple moved back to Woodstock to raise their children in the safe spaces of the town they grew up in.
Janice was the proud owner of the Green Beauty Shop on Central Street in Woodstock, as well as being a licensed real estate broker , operating out of the Green Mountain Opportunities office. Everything she set her mind on doing, she not only accomplished, but she excelled at.
Eventually Janice felt the calling back to the administrative field, and accepted a position in the law office of Thomas M Debevoise, Debevoise and Lieberman. She became the administrative voice of the Woodstock Foundation, holding a paralegal role for Laurance Rockefeller.
Janice worked until the age of 65, then retired to enjoy winters at their home in Lake Placid Florida with Reg, their family, and their friends.
Janice will be remembered for loving fiercely, and having extreme devotion to her family. Being a mother and nana were her favorite things. The void left in the hearts of her loved ones can never be filled.
Janice was predeceased by her parents, her brother Ralph Emery, sisters Regis Emery Kelly and Lyn Emery Bridge, her daughter Dawn Barron Davis, nieces Barbara Kelly Sundquist and Michelle Kelly Bradley, and nephew Jeffrey Kelly.
She is survived by her husband Reginald Barron of Charlestown, N.H.; daughter Elizabeth Barron Mills of Charlestown, N.H.; nephews Byron Kelly of Woodstock, and Jeremy Perkins of Lebanon, N.H.; nieces Jennifer Tessier of Raleigh, N.C. and Heather St Onge of Plant City, Fla.; grandchildren Richard Davis II (MA), Collin Davis (FL), Autumn Maguire (IL), Cassandra McGee (VT), Mallory King-Childs (VT), Lyndon Oakes (VT), and Arlon Oakes (VT/NH); and great-grandchildren Chayce Gallo, Royce King-Childs, Richard Davis III, Isabelle Davis, and Haven Davis.
A celebration of life will be held at the White River Junction United Methodist Church (Gates Street, WRJ) on Tuesday, Sept. 30 at 6 p.m.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in Janice’s name to Golden Cross Ambulance (5 Lincoln Heights, Claremont NH 03743) or Valley Regional Hospital (Savannah Tyrrell 603-542-3495 or mail your donation to Valley Regional Hospital, Community Engagement, 243 Elm Street, Claremont NH 03743). Both organizations provided selfless care, love, and genuine compassion in Janice’s passing.
An online guestbook can be found at cabotfh.com.
