Janet

Lavinio

-

Janet M. Lavinio

9/29/28 -6/25/24

Janet M. (Fournier) Lavinio died on June 25, 2024, at East End Hospice. She was born in Sag Harbor on September 29, 1928, to William Fournier, Sr. and Mildred Althea Payne of Montauk.

Growing up in Sag Harbor was a special privilege, Janet said. She often spoke about her many friends, Pierson classmates and teachers, and her church activities at the Old Whaler's Church. Her favorite quote was, "You can leave the Harbor, but the Harbor never leaves you."

Janet graduated as valedictorian from Pierson High School in 1946, the Southampton School of Nursing in 1949, and Southampton College, summa cum laude, in 1979 with a BA in psychology.

Janet had many experiences in nursing: first as staff nurse at Southampton Hospital, head nurse of Pediatrics, the Men's Ward, and Surgical I. One of these patients, Jack Willis, wrote a book, But There Are Always Miracles, dedicated to Dr. Spinzia, Janet Lavinio, and Clyde Holman, a nursing orderly on Surgical I. Her career also included working as a private duty nurse, office nurse, and staff nurse at the original Todd Nursing Home. Her last nursing assignment was her favorite: school nurse/teacher at the Southampton High School. She loved "all her kids," as she called them, knew them all by name, and helped them as much as she possibly could. She said she felt fulfilled being there for her kids whenever they needed her. It was virtually impossible to go out in public with Janet without encountering former students who insisted on giving her a hug.

Francis Lavinio and Janet met while she was a student nurse and were married on November 5, 1949. They were happily married for almost 55 years. She and her husband were very civic minded and actively involved in rescuing the Southampton Town Hall's cupola from destruction. Janet had been a member/officer of the Water Mill Museum, a volunteer of the Parrish Art Museum, and a member/officer of the Suffolk School of Nursing Alumnae Association.

She was an incredible cook and baker and enjoyed sharing her goodies. "A gift from the hearth is a gift from the heart."  Her pies and cookies were famous! Janet also was a cat lover and gave many strays a home throughout the years.

Janet is survived by daughters Marie Lavinio and her husband Arne Waldstein, of Housatonic, MA; Nancy and her husband Oren Bloostein, of New York, NY; Carol Topping, of Southampton, NY; grandsons Andrew Bloostein, of Norwalk, CT, and Sam Bloostein, of New York, NY; and godson James Topping, of Melrose, MA. She is also survived by dear friend/neighbor, Cathy Andrews Distefano, of Water Mill, NY, and several beloved nieces and nephews. Her husband, Francis, sister Rosalie Jacobs, her parents, and brother Billy predeceased her.

Janet said that she was blessed with a wonderful and loving family and many special and giving friends. They, and the New York Yankees, made her life worthwhile.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in Janet's name to the Water Mill Museum, P.O. Box 63, Water Mill, NY 11976, and to the Old Whalers' Church of Sag Harbor, P.O. Box 1241, Sag Harbor, NY 11963.

A celebration of Janet's life will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at 1:00 p.m., at the Old Whalers' Church, 44 Union Street, Sag Harbor.