Obituary: Janet Smith DiBlasi
October 21, 1932 – May 24, 2026
June 27, 2026 Janet Smith DiBlasi, 93, of Peterborough, New Hampshire, passed away peacefully at RiverMead retirement community. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, on October 21, 1932, the daughter of Arnold and Elizabeth (Groth) Smith.
Janet Smith DiBlasi, 1932-2026
Janet was raised in Flushing, New York, and graduated from Dominican Academy in New York City for high school. She was employed as a lab assistant for a biology laboratory, taught preschool for 10 years, and at age 50, earned her early education degree from Post College. Janet and her husband, Anthony, lived their adult lives in Great Neck, New York, where they raised their three children. Upon retirement, they moved to Waterbury Center, Vermont, before moving to RiverMead.
Janet was a loving and compassionate person who cherished the arts and always made time to help others. She supported her children and grandchildren and did so with a warm smile and a wonderful sense of humor. She was also a mentor to many, as well as a state-appointed guardian for a disabled adult woman who was living independently.
Janet is survived by her husband, of 73 years, Anthony DiBlasi, of Peterborough; her son Thomas and Maryann DiBlasi, of Port Jefferson, New York; her daughter Elizabeth and Bill Littles, of Peterborough; and her son Michael DiBlasi and Denita Lemmon of Minneapolis, Minnesota. She’s also survived by grandchildren, Jessica Littles, Alexandra Littles Wilkins, Edison DiBlasi, Lucas DiBlasi, Clara Selchow, Emily Selchow, Jillian Johnis, Thomas DiBlasi, Nicholas DiBlasi, Chris DiBlasi, Dan DiBlasi, Anthony DiBlasi, Joshua DiBlasi, Kim Policar and Bryon Lattka; and 10 great-grandchildren.
A visitation and funeral mass were held on May 29 in Peterborough. Janet is to be laid to rest in Nassau Knolls Cemetery in Port Washington, New York. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made in Janet’s name to the Guide Dog Foundation, in Smithtown, New York, and the American Cancer Society.