Obituary of Janet M. Totten

HAILESBORO- Janet M.Totten, age 83, of Hailesboro passed away on Friday, October 04, 2013 at her home under the loving care of her family, caregivers and Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley. Calling hours will be on Monday, October 7, 2013 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at French Funeral Home, Gouverneur. Her funeral service will be on Tuesday, October 8th at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home with Rev. Beth Benham officiating. Burial will follow at Hailesboro Cemetery. Condolences may be made online at www.frenchfuneralhomes.com. Janet was born on September 19, 1930, in Sherrill, New York. She was the daughter of the late Torquil and Agnes MacLeod. Her parents were immigrants from Scotland, settling in Sherrill, NY around 1925. Janet graduated from Sherrill High School in 1948. She was voted prom "football queen" in her junior year of high school. In her senior year she began working as a telephone operator, a position she continued for 6 years. Janet married Frederick Totten, also from Sherrill, on June 3, 1952, a marriage lasting for 61 years. They spent some time in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, where Fred was stationed with the Marines. They lived in Balmat New York for several years, moving to Gouverneur in 1963. For the last 45 years they lived in a house they built together in Hailesboro NY. Janet lived a simple, frugal life, a life style acquired from her Scottish parents. She was an excellent baker, and her pies and shortbread were exceptional. She made stained glass lampshades and window hangings for a few years, producing many quality pieces. She enjoyed shopping for antiques. Her gardens were a pleasure she enjoyed every summer. An avid walker for many years, she also enjoyed playing golf as a member of the Gouverneur Country Club. Unfortunately these joys were taken away a few years ago by the onset of Parkinson's disease. Janet is survived by her husband Frederick, a brother, Robert MacLeod and his wife Evalyn of DeBary, FL; a sister, Agnes Graves of Columbia, TN; a son, Theodore (Ted) Totten and his wife Jeanice of Gouverneur, NY; and two grandsons, Scott Totten of Huntington, NY and Andrew Totten of Brooklyn, NY. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Janet's memory to Ryan's Wish Foundation, 181 E. Main St. Gouverneur, NY 13642, or a charity of ones choice.