NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Janice Ruth (Russett) Tanner, 86, formerly of North Adams, Mass., died on Tuesday, July 31, 2018, at the Medway Country Manor in Medway, Mass., after a long illness. 

She was born in North Adams, Mass., on February 1, 1932, a daughter of the late Lawrence and Viola (Richards) Russett. Janice attended local schools and graduated from Drury High School. In her early years, she was employed at Sprague Electric.  She went on to raise and care for her family, and was a devoted wife and mother. 

She loved animals of all kinds. In her later years, Janice enjoyed bowling, shopping and antiquing. She was also an active member of the Gold Card Club.

She was the widow of Donald Dewey Tanner, whom she married on April 16, 1954. He died on February 14, 2004.

Survivors include her son, Michael Tanner, and his wife, Ellen, of Takoma Park, Md.; daughter Barbara Wallace and her husband, Peter, of Medway, Mass.; grandson Andrew Wallace and his fiancée, Nicole Twamley, of St. Albans, Vt.; as well as several nieces and nephews. 

She was predeceased by her sister, Marjorie Harvey; and her brothers Lawrence, Richard, and Donald Russett.

Funeral notice: A funeral service to celebrate the life of Janice Tanner will be held on Friday, August 3, 2018, at 2 p.m. at the Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapel, 521 West Main St., North Adams, MA 01247. Burial will follow in Southview Cemetery. 

A calling hour will take place from 1 p.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Berkshire Humane Society.