Janice Carol Eldred

SPRINGFIELD, MA — Janice Carol Eldred died peacefully in the early morning hours of May 4, 2016 at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, MA. She had been held in the continual embrace of touch and song by her family and friends throughout the previous two days. Her sisters were by her side when she passed gently into the light. Born on January 12, 1961 at Samaritan Hospital in Troy, Janice was the daughter of the late June and William Eldred of Hoosick Falls. Janice also became a beloved member of the family of the late John and Hazel Eggers and spent much of her growing-up years in Castleton, NY. She graduated valedictorian of her high school class and went on to study at Drew University and New York University. When she discovered the School for International Training in Brattleboro, VT, she felt she had found the perfect fit. It was at S.I.T. that she entered the World Issues Program and completed a semester internship in India. Her experiences there with the Auroville community and the Tamil culture had a profound effect on her life. Janice’s interest in travel began in childhood, camping with the Eggers as they explored the country together. Between college semesters, she headed off to jobs in Europe that allowed her to travel through many countries, being particularly fond of her time spent working and living in Switzerland. In the years after her work and travels in India, she journeyed on many an Amtrak train to return to the Pacific Northwest, the west coast, and her beloved Southwest. Her travels also returned her to Spain and to Mexico and the artisan communities of Oaxaca. Janice was never happier than when she had a bag packed, visualizing her next adventure. Janice is survived by her sister Faye Mihuta (James) of Saratoga Springs, sister June Horton (Allan) of Wilmington, MA, niece Alie Mihuta of Washington, DC, cousin Lillian Hewitt (Kent Goodermote) of Berlin, NY, and her extended family. There will be a private family memorial service and also a community celebration of Janice’s life to be held June 18 at Friends Meeting House in Putney, VT from 2:30 - 5:30 p.m. (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). Contributions may be made in Janice’s memory to the Q’ewar Project, a Peruvian women’s initiative she supported (www.qewar.com), or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Om Shalom. Om Salaam. Om Shanti. Deep peace be with you, sweet soul.