Janet M. O’Connell

Janet M. (Rister) O’Connell of Randolph, died October 31, 2021. Janet was born in Dearborn, MI on October 15, 1938, daughter of William and Florence (Shockey) Rister. She was raised in Dearborn along with her three siblings and joined the Army after graduating high school. She served for almost three years in Washington DC as a secretary in the Judge Advocate General’s Corp. She was married in Virginia, and after having her first child, she moved to Quincy, MA where she raised six children. She was a stay-at-home mom when her children were young and was active in the school and sports her children participated in. She continued to reside in Quincy until she retired from Todd & Weld as a legal secretary.  Janet loved to read mysteries, listen to all types of music, and travel, especially with any of her eighteen grandchildren. She enjoyed cruises, road trips, and trips to Hawaii and Disney World. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandkids, whether it was going out to eat or attending dance recitals, baseball games, or any of their events. When asked what was the happiest time in her life, Janet said, “Babysitting and spending time with my grandchildren.” Janet was an avid sports fan who coached teams when her children were young, and she loved watching her kids and grandkids play any sport. She rarely missed a Patriots, Bruins, Celtics, or Red Sox game and was always available to discuss the game with her family members. Her love of competition extended to all sports. You always knew that when the Olympics were on, you would find her trying to watch all of the events.

She was the loving mother of Veronica Dyer of Quincy, Kathleen O’Connor and her husband Richard of North Carolina, Patrick Flaherty of Quincy, Maureen Flaherty of Norton, Michael Flaherty of Quincy, and Dennis Flaherty and his wife Marcy of New Hampshire. Sister of Jeff Rister and his wife Margaret of Ohio, and the late William Rister and Carol Torgerson. Janet is also survived by eighteen grandchildren: Christine Sheehan, Heather Romeri, Robert Dyer, Jennifer Hancock, Jillian Jacques, Derek Jacques, Daniel Jacques, Samantha O’Connor, Rachel O’Connor, Taryn O’Connor, Kerry O’Connor, Shannon Doherty, Ryanne Doherty, Justin Flaherty, Bryan Flaherty, Jenna Flaherty, Riley Flaherty and John Flaherty along with nine great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend their thanks to the staff at Harbor House Rehabilitation & Nursing Center for the care and compassion shown to Janet and her family over the past year.

Relatives and friends are invited to greet the family during visiting hours on Thursday, Nov. 11 from 10AM-12PM, followed by a Celebration of Life Service beginning at 12:00 PM, in the Keohane Funeral Home, 785 Hancock St., Quincy.

Visitors are requested to wear their favorite New England sports jersey to honor Janet’s love of sports.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Janet may be made to The Greater Boston Food Bank, 70 South Bay Ave, Boston, MA 02118