Janet (Jan) A. Harrington, age 85, passed away at home surrounded by her beloved family on Friday, September 20, 2024.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Friday, September 27, 2024, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Anamosa. Rev. Sean Smith will officiate. Burial will take place at 3 p.m. at St. Mary Cemetery in Waverly. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, September 26, 2024, and again at 9 a.m. Friday, September 27, 2024, at the Goettsch Funeral Home in Anamosa. Please use the Guestbook to share your thoughts, memories, and condolences with Janet's family.

Born on August 24, 1939, Jan was the oldest child of Frank D. Miller and Mary J. (Neil) Miller. After she graduated from Fairbank High School in 1957, Jan received her Diploma RN from Mercy School of Nursing in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She worked as a Registered Nurse in obstetrics, labor and delivery, and always had a passion for working with babies and new mothers.

Jan was united in marriage to Leonard (Len) P. Harrington on June 9, 1962, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Fairbank, Iowa and became a devoted mother and grandmother to 8 children, 14 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren. She was a guiding light to her children, teaching them the values of kindness, humility, patience and perseverance, creating a home filled with warmth, prayer and unconditional love. Jan's family was her greatest pride and joy!

In 1990, Jan obtained her BSN from Northern Illinois University, and later focused her nursing work in the field of lactation advocacy as a certified lactation consultant (IBCLC). She started her own business in Edwardsville, Illinois providing direct lactation support to new mothers in their homes. One of her most significant professional accomplishments was starting a lactation program at Marion General Hospital, Marion, Indiana which is still thriving today.

Jan leaves behind a legacy of unwavering loving devotion to her family and her Catholic faith, a testament to the beautiful life she lived. Her devotion to the Blessed Mother and the Rosary was an anchor in her life, offering her strength in times of challenge, and joy in moments of celebration. Her passing leaves a void in the hearts of those who knew and loved her, but her spirit will continue to inspire and guide us. Her memory will be treasured forever as we hold her close in our hearts and remember the light that she brought into our lives. May she rest in the eternal peace of Christ.

Jan is survived by her husband of 62 years, Len Harrington, children Joan (Steve) Kula, Anne (Dan) Cerny, Kathleen Harrington, Maureen (Andrew) Russell, Daniel (Ellen) Harrington, David (Julissa) Harrington, Meagan Harrington, and Bridget Harrington (Eric Pietras), her grandchildren Laura (Nate) Robitschek, Benjamin (Kristin) Kula, Gregory Kula, Claire Cerny, Grace Cerny, Jack Cerny, Brennan Harrington, Aidan Harrington, Cailyn Harrington, Owen Russell, Maeve Russell, Joseph Russell, Patrick Harrington, and Anna Harrington and great grandchildren Margaret and Violet Kula, her sister Judy (Terry) Meyer and brother Jim Miller.  She was preceded in death by her parents Frank and Mary Miller and sister Julene (Richard) Pryor.

Memorial gifts may be directed to St. Patrick's Church, Anamosa or Hospice of Mercy.

The Harrington family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the compassionate staff from Mercy Home Care and Hospice of Mercy, whose kindness and care provided comfort in Jan's final days.