Janice Hurley

Janice Ann (Daly) Hurley, 84, passed peacefully into God's presence at her home in Peterborough, New Hampshire on Monday evening, January 30th, 2023, surrounded by her loving family after a twelve year battle with cancer.

Janice was born in Brooklyn, New York, March 18th, 1938. She was the daughter of Robert Cuccio and Anne (Lenartoski) Daly. She attended St. Athanasius Grammar School and Catherine McAuley High School, a private Catholic school in the East Flatbush section of Brooklyn dedicated to preparing young Christian women for life. After graduating with the class of 1956, she worked at Singer Sewing Co. in New York City until marrying and starting a family. Janice later moved to Long Island, NY where she lived and devoted herself to raising her four children.

In 1990 Janice and her husband, Leo, moved to New Hampshire where they both worked for Beech Hill Hospital. They chose the beautiful town of Peterborough as their new home and also enjoyed many summer vacations with family in York Beach on the coast of Maine. Janice eventually took over the ownership of Aesops Tables, a cafe and coffee shop in the Toadstool Bookstore in Peterborough. From 1995 to 2001 she made Aesops what it is today. Because of her love for people and cooking, customers lined up out the doors for her turkey soup and lemon-moon cookies. She later sold Aesops to retire in order to help her daughters with childcare and genuinely loved spending time with her four grandchildren.

After the grandchildren grew up, Janice enjoyed working for her son, James, at his antique shop Laurel & Grove in Peterborough, NH. She had a gift for decorating and liked greeting both new and old customers, often exchanging stories about places they had visited and lived. She also regularly visited his other business James Thomas Salon where she became friends with many of the clients and staff. Janice always loved family traditions such as spending time together around the holidays, cooking Italian food and listening to Frank Sinatra music. She loved animals as well and enjoyed feeding the birds around her home, which included wild turkeys that would come right up and peck on her door to be fed.

Janice had a strong faith in God throughout her life and was an active part of her local Catholic Church, Divine Mercy Parish of Peterborough, NH. She was a Eucharistic Minister, frequently visiting local area nursing homes. Her love for the Lord and people shined through her beautiful smile, friendliness and humble character. Janice was greatly respected as a graceful and dedicated member of her family and community. She rarely complained during her long struggle with cancer. People will remember her as a dignified and lovely lady with a generous heart and for her many wonderful qualities in the way she gave of herself to others. She will be lovingly remembered and greatly missed by both family and friends.

Janice is predeceased by her parents and a brother, Robert Daly. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Leo R. Hurley of Peterborough, NH; brother James Daly of Brooklyn, NY and Peterborough, NH; daughter Gemma (O'Connor) Lantry and husband John Lantry of Marlborough, NH; son John O'Connor and wife Maria Torres O'Connor of Edgewater, NJ; son James Thomas O'Connor of Peterborough, NH; and daughter Margaret Anne (Hurley) Toscano and husband Paul Toscano of Bedford, NH; four grandchildren: Madison (Bollinger) Copple and husband Tyler Copple, Paul Toscano, Ryan Toscano, and Sean Toscano; and one great-grandchild: Wrenley Copple.

The family wishes to especially thank Home Healthcare Hospice of Keene, NH for their compassionate care in the last weeks and days of Janices' life. A private funeral Mass was held in her honor for family at Divine Mercy Parish of Peterborough as she had requested.