SOUTHBURY

Janet Roda Gaines, of Southbury, passed away peacefully at her home after a heroic struggle with cancer. Janet was the loving daughter of the late Mary Louise Alcorn Roda and Herbert Roda. Her brother, David Roda, a member of the famous Thunderbirds, also predeceased her. Janet graduated from Endicott College, Beverly, Massachusetts in 1960, with an Associate of Science degree and began her career in New York City at Vogue Patterns magazine. From there she joined J.P. Stevens as Home Furnishings Coordinator. Her next move was to Martex Textiles, where she was the Director of Promotional Activities. In 1982, she met and married Sanford Gaines and moved to Greenport, New York where they owned a home furnishings store. When her husband's illness prompted a move to Florida, Janet worked as the marketing director at the Design Center of the Americas in Ft. Lauderdale. After her husband's death, Janet returned to New York City and was hired as Marketing Director at the D & D Building. Soon afterward, she began her own business as a recruiter for designers, a role she filled for several years. Upon retirement, Janet moved to Heritage Village in Southbury, CT, where she resided until her death. There will be no funeral service and a private burial will take place in Port Washington, New York where Janet will be buried next to her parents and brother.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Praxair Cancer Center, Danbury Hospital, 24 Hospital Ave., Danbury, CT 06810.

Cemetery: Cemetery Not Applicable

Location: Munson-Lovetere Southbury

Services: Funeral Services and burial will be private.

Visitation: There are no calling hours.