Janet Finn

Janet Marie Finn, 90, of Rome, NY, joined her beloved husband, Emmett, in eternal rest on Sunday, September 28, 2025, at home surrounded by family. She left this world in peace and grace, with love in her heart and music in her soul.

Born January 14, 1935, in Philadelphia PA, to Delos and Marie (Rafferty) Hills, she was the third of five children. She graduated from Saint Cecelian Academy, in Philadelphia, and was gifted in music and drama. She had a beautiful voice with pitch and clarity that rivaled the best of the 50's crooners; Jo Stafford and Rosemary Clooney were a couple of her favorites. It was during a church musical production that she met the love of her life, Emmett Lawrence Finn, who was soon to enlist in the US Air Force. They endured a long distance courtship and were joined in the Holy Sacrament of Marriage on September 25, 1954.

As a devoted Air Force wife of a career officer, Janet traversed the country with her husband and spent time in Europe. They landed at Griffiss AFB in 1963, and as the military career ended, decided to make Rome a permanent home. Together, they transformed the rocky half-acre backyard into a garden paradise with ever-blooming rows of rhododendrons, punctuated by colorful perennials. It was there that they spent the next six decades, raising eleven children, welcoming forty grandchildren and thirty-six great-grandchildren. Janet and Emmett were active and supportive parents, instilling their faith and strong work ethic in their children, and were rewarded as they watched them excel in academics, music, and sports.

A passion for travel, sidelined by family responsibilities, was reignited in their empty-nester years and together, Janet and Emmett toured the US, and revisited many countries in Europe. They fell in love with the old-style glitz and glamour of cruise ships and logged thousands of nautical miles, exploring many exotic locations. Hawaii was a favorite destination and they shared their love of the tropical paradise with many of their children and grandchildren over the years. Much Aloha!

Janet's interests included gardening, sewing, and cooking. She made the best boxed brownies and always had a pan ready for small visitors. She played a fierce Scrabble game, easily flattening an opponent by laying three tiles for six words and forty-two points. She will be most remembered for her selfless devotion and unconditional love for her husband and family.

Janet is preceded in death by her loving husband, Emmett, her son, Emmett Lawrence Finn III, her parents, her dearest sister Patricia Tucker, brothers Charles Hills and Joseph Hills, and their spouses; also, in infancy, brother Francis Hills and granddaughter, Angela Gillman.

Janet will be deeply missed by her children, Barbara Finn, Ann-Marie (Michael) McNamara, Kathleen (Robert) Joyce, Patricia Finn (David Walker), JoAnne Finn (Kimberly Blair), Regina (Gary) Gillman, John (Joan née Boucher) Finn, Judith Finn, Janet Dragojevic, and Carol (William) Sanzone; daughter-in-law, Terry Finn (née Glerum); grandchildren, Erin, Rebecca, Matthew, Paul, Jessica, Julia, Stephanie, Christopher, Craig, Michael, Gwendolyn, Annalyn, Patrick, Jeffrey, Sean, Kevin, Kara Lynn, Elizabeth, Kristin, Steven, Maggie, Ellen, Mirelle, Christopher, Alaina, Madeline, Andrew, Kyle, Shane, Ryan, Brigitte, Viola, Adam, Oliver, Katerina, Katelyn, Molly, William, and Sebastian; great-grandchildren, Cassidy, Juniper, Avery, Rowan, Keaton, Kaylee, Sage, River, Revi, Emmett, Carly, Jocelyn, Everly, Klara, Tessa, Selah, Trulie, Theo, Arthur, Callum, James, Evelyn, Benjamin, Ophelia, Ronan, Kieran, Naomi, Raleigh, Conor, Emily, Jack, Lucas, Greta, Rosie, Finn, and Maeve; brother-in-law, Eugene Finn; sister-in-law Deanna Finn; and many nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, October 3, at 11 AM at St. Paul's Church, 1807 Street, Rome. Relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects from 10 to 11 AM prior to the mass. Janet will be laid to rest beside her husband, Emmett, at the New York State Veterans Cemetery-Finger Lakes at a later date.

Memorial contributions in Janet's name may be made to St. Paul's Church and/or Hospice, who so graciously cared for Janet and supported the family in her final weeks.

Her funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street.

Please offer online condolences at: www.barryfuneralhome.com.