Janet C. (Benard) Whittaker passed away peacefully at home attended by her family on January 2, 2017. She was born in Chicopee to Albert and Loretta (Viens) Benard and graduated from Chicopee High School in 1957. She married Jay R. Whittaker on July 26, 1958 and had three sons - Michael, David and Steven. She began her 21 years as a military wife in Columbus, OH and went on to create warm and loving homes in cities as diverse as Madrid, Honolulu, Washington D.C. and San Antonio. As an Air Force wife, she exemplified bravery, resourcefulness and service, with her trademark cheeriness, boundless energy, and discipline. After leaving the service she settled in Marlboro, MA where she began a new career working for New England Instruments and Digital Equipment Corporation before retiring in 1992 to enjoy life, friends and family. She enjoyed meeting new people, the ocean, games of chance, Barbara Streisand and old movies. She loved her family most of all. Her passing leaves a hole in the universe and an unfillable void in the hearts of her devoted husband Jay; her adoring sons Michael John and his wife Michelle Zichella of Portland, ME, David Scott of Marlboro MA and Uvita, Costa Rica, Steven Todd and his partner Susan Bailey of Northfield, MA, her brothers George Benard of Holyoke, Robert Benard of Chicopee, Paul Benard of Bondsville, her grandson Samuel Whittaker, granddaughter Rachael (Whittaker) Izquierdo and great granddaughter Neveah Izquierdo. Janet was predeceased by her beloved parents, her brothers Benny, Rudy and Raymond Benard and sisters Teresa Menard and Marie Dietz. The funeral will take place Monday at 1pm at the CURRAN-O'BRIEN FUNERAL HOME, 33 Lamb Street, South Hadley followed by committal services at the Massachusetts Veteran's Memorial Cemetery at 3pm. Calling hours are Sunday from 2-5pm. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to her favorite charity, Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital, Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38101- 9908. For online condolences, please visit curranobrien.com