Greenfield and Florence, MA – Janet Gilman Hodos passed away in the early afternoon of January 28, 2026, at the Hospice of the Fisher Home in Amherst, Massachusetts. She met her journey with Parkinson’s disease with courage and grace and was able to leave on her own terms, with dignity and peace.
Janet was born on March 27, 1940, in Malden, Massachusetts, to Sara and Isadore Gilman, and grew up surrounded by a large, tightly knit family. She graduated from Malden High School and earned her BS degree from Simmons College in the Class of 1962. During her senior year, she was set up on a New Year’s Eve blind date with Herb Hodos and quickly realized they were meant to be. They married on July 3, 1963, beginning a loving partnership that would define their shared life of family, service, and community.
In 1964, Janet and Herb moved to Springfield, Massachusetts, where their first daughter, Andrea, was born. Two years later, they relocated to Greenfield when Janet’s cousin, Burt Winer, invited Herb to join the law firm of Levy & Winer, where he would later become a partner. In 1968, they welcomed their second daughter, Emily.
For more than forty years in Greenfield, Janet and Herb were deeply committed to serving their community. Janet devoted countless hours to civic life, serving on committees and boards for organizations including the Junior Branch of the Franklin County Public Hospital, the Franklin County Arts Council, United Way of Franklin County, the Pioneer Valley Symphony, the Interfaith Council of Franklin County, and the Greenfield Council on Aging. She was also a Girl Scout troop leader, nurturing confidence and leadership in young girls.
A lifelong member of Hadassah, Janet served for many years as president of the Greenfield chapter and as an officer of the Northeast Region. She was especially passionate about the work of the Hadassah Medical Organization. Janet was also a devoted and beloved member of Temple Israel of Greenfield, where she was known for her warmth and her genuine welcome to newcomers. She served in many roles at the synagogue, including chairing the committee that dedicated the congregation’s new sanctuary.
In 2009, Janet and Herb moved to the Bear Hill Condominium complex in Florence, Massachusetts, where they quickly built a vibrant community around them. During her years in Northampton, Janet became active with the Movement Voter Project and engaged in local activism supporting refugees and immigrants settling in Hampshire County through Congregation B’nai Israel.
Whether in Greenfield or Northampton, Janet treasured hosting visitors from near and far, from short visits on the porch to extended stays, offering generous and deeply human hospitality. Her home was always open, often with a healthy, home-cooked meal. She leaves behind a legacy of community-building and compassion that she modeled for her children and grandchildren, each of whom carries her influence forward in their own way.
She is survived by her husband, Herb Hodos, retired Greenfield District Court Judge; her brother, Arthur Gilman; her sister, Harriet Lawrence; her daughters, Andrea Hodos (Aryeh Cohen) and Emily Hodos (Eric Phelps); her grandchildren, Shachar, Oryah (Elisheva), Gabriel, and Elijah; her nieces, Karen, Courtney, and Margot; and many beloved cousins.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Janet’s memory may be made to the Hospice of the Fisher Home, the Movement Voter Project, or a charity of your choice that reflects Janet’s passions and values.
The funeral is taking place on Sunday, February 1 at Temple Israel of Greenfield starting at 11am.
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