Janice Elizabeth Hetzel

Heaven gained an angel on January 20, 2019, when Janice Elizabeth (Tunis) Hetzel, 72, passed away peacefully with family by her side.


A lifelong resident of Massachusetts, Janice grew up on the South Shore in the town of Norwell. She attended Norwell High School graduating with the Class of 1964. Janice completed her education by attending Fitchburg State where she focused her studies on early childhood education. Her love of children and gentle disposition eventually led her to a position working at Cardinal Cushing School for children with developmental disabilities where Janice’s kind and tender nature endeared her to all who knew her. It is here that she met her loving husband Robert Hetzel. The two married and moved to Pembroke, MA where they raised their family.

Janice was extremely proud of her Greek heritage and enjoyed cooking traditional Greek cuisine and hosting family dinners and holidays. Jan also held a special place in her heart for animals and had many pets throughout her life including a very precocious monkey named Capuchi. Ever the doting mother and grandmother Jan took the most joy in spending time with family and always put her children and grandchildren first. Her generosity and kindness will always be remembered.

Janice is predeceased in death by her parents Harry & Mary Tunis, her brother James Tunis and son Jonathan Hetzel. Janice is survived by her loving husband of 45 years, Robert D. Hetzel, her 3 children Matthew Hetzel, Heidi Schwab and Jennifer Hetzel-Brown, her seven grandchildren Jack Hetzel-Brown, Sammy Schwab, and Jesse Schwab and Elyse, Grant, Warren, and Roger Hetzel, as well as her daughter-in-law Jeanine Hetzel, and son-in-law Rudi Schwab.

Janice will be remembered always and forever missed. Until we meet again, we love you.

Funeral arrangements will be held on Saturday, February 2, 2019 at the Saint Benedict Abbey, 252 Still River Road, Still River, MA (www.abbey.org). A visitation period will take place from 9:30 – 11:00 am, with a Mass of the Resurrection to follow at 11:00. There will be a lunch reception at the Abbey at the conclusion of the Mass.

Donations in Janice’s name can be made to Saint Benedict Abbey or to Cardinal Cushing Centers (www.cushingcenters.org)