Obituary of Janet Robbin Henry

Janet Robbin (Blassingame) Henry, age 77, beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, cousin, and friend passed away peacefully and was called to Heaven by our Lord on December 12, 2023. Janet was the daughter of the late Bailey and Celia (Moreland Newton) Blassingame, and sister of the late Patti Gay and the late Alan Blassingame. She was pre-deceased many years ago by her husband, Howard Alfred Henry, Sr. all born in Hartford, CT as well as several aunts and uncles. She was also pre-deceased by her dear friend Paula Coleman of Hartford. Janet loved the Lord and was a born-again Christian. She attended church at the Assisted-Living Centers where she resided in her later years. 

Janet (sometimes lovingly called "GiGi") was a smart, devoted, loving, witty & caring Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Aunt, Cousin, and Friend who cherished her family and every moment of her life. She lived her life to the fullest, even in the midst of battling Multiple Sclerosis (MS) for the past several years. She worked in the Central Sterilization unit at Hartford Hospital for over 20 years and was overnight Manager at St Agnes Group Home where she cooked for and counseled teenage mothers. Married as a teenager, Janet had been a teenage mother of 3 young children herself. She also assisted her sister Patti, who was well known for her cooking skills and delicious food, with various catering jobs. 

Although raising her 3 children as a single mom was challenging after the death of her husband, the late Howard Henry, Sr. she provided a loving and safe home beginning in Charter Oak Terrace and various homes in the Southend of Hartford, CT. Janet had an easy laugh that would make you happy inside and she had a keen whit, intelligence, and a kind and calm demeanor and was rarely angry or upset.

After retiring to south Florida, she lived independently with MS, in Century Village, where she made many friends and was active on several committees. She attended church regularly while she was a resident there. After her MS condition prevented her from driving, she rode the "trolley" to the Community Center, Clubhouse, Church, Grocery Store, Mall, Doctor's office, and to visit friends. She had a very strong will and was determined to live well despite being afflicted with MS. Janet was very disciplined and responsible and had great character and fierce independence. Janet was always complimented on her beautiful, flawless complexion and her beautiful hands. No one would ever guess her age because she always looked much younger than she was. Afterall, the meaning of her name is "God's Grace".

She lived near her sons, Howard, and Donell, who both lived in south Florida when she retired, and spent countless birthdays, holidays and dinners with her sons, their wives, and her grandchildren. Her daughter Robbin and grandchildren would often come home from the Community Center where she stayed late playing Bingo, Spades, Phase 10, Poker or watching movies with friends. She also lived with her son Howard and wife Sheila in Ocala for many years before moving to Brentwood at ForeRanch where she continued to be active and made many friends. She was loved by the nurses and CNAs, and they said she "had jokes".

Janet leaves to cherish her great and loving memory, daughter, Robbin Henry Lacey (Kent), sons Howard Henry, Jr. (Sheila), Donell Albert Henry, Sr. (Beverly), grandchildren Nordica Nicole Henry, Dr. Brittany Austin Henry and her fiancé Pastor Quentin Mumphrey, Quincy Howard Henry (Lili); Quintin Donell Henry (Segourney), Alana Janelle Gordon, Donell Albert Henry, Jr., Lenworth Anthony Gordon, Jr. (Paige), Kameron Danielle Henry, Morgan Brooke Henry, Esquire; Journee Noel Henry; Mychelle King-Coleman and Jourdon Lacey. Janet also leaves an amazing and adorable bevy of great grandchildren, Alazia, Autumn, Xavier, Abigail and Amir - all are the grandchildren of her oldest son, Howard Henry. Janet also leaves a loving and devoted niece, Tuesdee Lynn Gay and her daughter Mani, and devoted nephew Darryl T. Gay (Lisa) who she loved and cherished as well as his son Devon Gay (Vanessa) and their 4 boys and his daughter Brandy Gay and her 4 boys and nephew Christopher A. Blassingame and his sons Trevon, Geante and daughter Ciani.

We also wish to acknowledge a dear and loved friend Vera Lazarus and Miss Connie and the wonderful nursing staff and CNA team at Luxe in Tampa and her many friends there, where she was lovingly called "Miss Janet". In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you donate online in Janet Henry's honor to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at www.nationalmssociety.org and LifePath Hospice of Tampa at www.chaptershealth.org.

We thank LifePath Hospice for the love, great care, and concern for our mother as they attended to her health, physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. To keep her sister Patti's many memories alive, Janet adopted the phrase "see you round like a donut" and reminded her many caretakers and friends that she would miss them and would see them again. 

Janet Robbin Henry leaves an ever-lasting legacy of love, kindness, beauty, and humor which her 3 adult children, 12 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, myriad nieces, nephews and many other relatives and friends will always remember, celebrate, and cherish. May Janet's memory always be a blessing.

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