Janet McElheran Brownell, 89, Massena

MASSENA - The family of Janet McElheran Brownell is heartbroken to announce her passing on Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at Hospice of Northwest Ohio with her daughter Sherry by her side. Janet was 89 years old.

Janet was born in Massena, New York on November 23,1936 to Laura and Ray McElheran. She was the fourth daughter out of seven children.
Janet graduated from Massena High School in 1954. She went on to attend Cornwall Commercial College for one year. After that she was hired at Alcoa where she worked as a stenographer for a few years.

In 1957 she met her husband Winston Brownell and they were blessed with 57 years of marriage until his passing in 2014. 

Janet was a stay-at-home mom until her oldest child was thirteen. She was hired at Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation as a contract specialist and enjoyed working there. She retired after 24 years of dedicated service.

Janet kept an active lifestyle after retirement . She took daily walks, enjoyed reading especially her bible, worked on crossword puzzles and enjoyed watching Fox News.

Janet attended Northside Community Church and monthly bible study with the church ladies. Janet is always one to enjoy good conversation appreciated monthly get togethers with her sister in-law Marlene and childhood friend Sylvia. In addition to her dear friends Cindy and Linda. She missed them very much and her extended family when she moved to Ohio.

Janet was a loving and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She will be missed everyday until we meet again.

She is survived by her three children Shelley, Sherry and Tom. Her grandchildren Tommy, Heather and Blake. Great grandchildren Sloane and Piper. Her sister Carol Elias and sister-in-law June McElheran. Many nieces and nephews. Her longtime friend Cindy LaShomb of Florida.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her sisters, Grace, Leta, Betty, and Laura; her brothers, Hugh and Reginald; her sister-in-law, Marlene Hulse; her nephew, Daniel Hulse; and her son-in-law, James Pariseau.

Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will held in the spring of 2027 in Massena, New York to honor our dear mother.

A Mother’s love is a reflection of god’s love pure and unconditional.