Janet C. Larrance

Janet Larrance, 75, of Mt. Pleasant, passed away Tuesday, August 8, 2023, at home with her family by her side. Janet was born February 8, 1948, in Hialeah, Florida, daughter of the late Merle Horace and Stella Maria Anna (Johnson) Smith. She was welcomed into the home by her older brother, Merle and Janet was later joined by younger siblings, Nadine and Michael. Because Janet's father was in the Air Force, their family lived in numerous places including Miami, FL, Munich and Frankfort, Germany (where she received the sacrament of Holy Communion at Our Lady of Bavaria Catholic Church), Columbus, OH, San Antonio, TX, Cheyenne, WY. Their final military transfer was to Santa Maria, CA where she graduated from Santa Maria High School in 1966. She was fortunate enough to spend six weeks in Saltillo, Coah, Mexico, continuing her studies in Spanish. After returning to Santa Maria, while attending Allan Hancock College, Janet met the love of her life, Charles "Chuck" Larrance who, like Janet's father, was also serving in the Air Force. The two met on Vandenberg Air Force Base at a bowling center. After a brief courtship, the couple married on February 10, 1968, at St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Santa Maria, CA and immediately moved to Cocoa Beach, FL, from where Chuck was discharged in 1970. The two moved to Chuck's home state of Michigan and eventually settled in Mt. Pleasant. They were blessed with two children, Patrick and Stacy. Janet worked as an administrative secretary at Central Michigan University, retiring from the Dean of Students office in 2007. Her Catholic faith was very important to her. She was a member of Sacred Heart Parish in Mt. Pleasant where she served as a eucharist minister and served on the Worship Commission and Hope Ministry. Janet was active in the cookie fundraiser for Life Choices. During the winter months, she belonged to St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Moore Haven, FL the past 13 years serving on the Women's Guild and volunteering at fish frys. Some of Janet's favorite pastimes included vegetable and flower gardening, traveling (especially her three trips to Alaska), and spending time with her family who will miss her dearly. Janet was known for her outgoing and generous personality and had a servant's heart. Janet is survived by her husband, Chuck; children, Patrick (Maria) Larrance of Mt. Pleasant and Stacy (Dominic) Finnerty of Beal City; grandsons, Nathan, Nicholas, and Neil Finnerty; great grandson, Noah Finnerty; siblings, Merle A. (Christine) Smith of Pataskala, OH, Nadine (Thomas) Dlugas of Maumee, OH, and Michael (Barbara) Smith of Perrysburg, OH; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends at Charles R. Lux Family Funeral Home on Thursday, August 10, from 4-7:30 p.m. with the Vigil Service beginning at 7:30 p.m. A Funeral Mass for Janet will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Loren Kalinowski as celebrant. Visitation will be one hour prior to Mass. Following Mass all are invited to a luncheon at Lincoln Reception Center (attached to the funeral home). Janet will be laid to rest in Gilmore Township Cemetery following the luncheon. Memorial contributions may be made to Life Choices or Sacred Heart Academy Foundation. Envelopes will be available at both the funeral home and church. To sign the online guest book or leave a condolence for the family please visit www.CharlesRLux.com.