Janet (House) Toole

Janet (House) Toole, 83, of Weymouth, MA and formerly of Belmont, MA and New Canaan, CT, passed away at South Shore Hospital in Weymouth on January 5, 2023, following a sudden illness. She was surrounded by her loving family and friends and passed peacefully with her daughter by her side.

Janet was predeceased by her husband, Frank E. Toole Jr., and is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth (Toole) Witham of Reading, MA, her son-in-law Paul and their children Katherine and Alexander, her brothers Anthony House of London, England and John House of Eastbourne, England. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Alice (Petty) Welch of Ramsey, NJ, a host of cousins, nieces and nephews in the U.S. and England, and many dear friends.

Janet was born on November 10, 1939, in Banstead, Surrey, England, with her family eventually settling in Formby, Lancashire. Shortly after graduating from Southport Technical College, the fiercely independent Janet decided she wanted to see more of the world and courageously emigrated to Canada on her own at age 20. She quickly established a career at various advertising agencies and production companies, eventually leading her to exciting opportunities in New York City. It was there she began to work producing television commercials and projects with Peter Griffith (father of actress Melanie), and then back to Toronto with celebrated cinematographer Laszlo George. It was in Canada while producing a Noxzema Cream commercial where Janet first met Frank Toole, a dashing ‘Madmen’-era American agency executive. They quickly became enamored of one another, and were married in 1971, with daughter Elizabeth completing their new family in 1972. Initially settling in New Canaan, Connecticut near Frank’s lifelong friend Kevin Logan and wife Natalie, the Tooles relocated to Massachusetts in 1976, first to Medfield and then Belmont. Here, the entrepreneurial Janet eventually returned to work, instrumental in establishing two successful technology start-up businesses, MicroMentor and Communispace. Following the passing of her beloved Frank in 1997 after his battle with cancer, Janet continued focusing on her loved ones and her work, until finally retiring at age 73 in 2012. She spent her later years traveling and enjoying the company of treasured friends including Joanne Torres, Geoff Hall and Natalie Logan. Enduringly energetic and delightfully youthful, Janet never slowed down, eagerly booking one excursion after the next, returning to visit her family in England, and vacationing in Florida, Alaska, Italy, France, Greece, and Bermuda. But nothing brought her greater joy than spending time as Mamma with her cherished grandchildren Kate and Xander.

Janet was many things to many people, living a remarkable life and impacting an astounding number of lives along the way. She was a taker of risks; seeker of new experiences; voyager of ships; lover of beaches; driver of race cars; rider of roller coasters; devotee of dogs and cats; shaper of manners and morals; enthusiast of good food and great wine; puller of weeds and planter of flowers; devourer of fiction and non-fiction; advocate of the arts; the beating heart of businesses; the caretaker of family, co-workers, neighbors and pets; a faithful traveling companion; a role model; a best friend; and an inspiration to everyone who loved her, which was everyone fortunate enough to know her.

A Celebration of the Life of Janet Toole will be held on Saturday, January 28, 2023, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, at Crown Plaza Boston in Woburn, MA, followed by an informal reception from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the same location. Relatives, friends, and colleagues are kindly invited to attend.  Friends and family are encouraged to wear bright, happy colors in her memory to celebrate the beauty Janet brought to this world.

For those that are unable to travel or attend in person, please join us virtually by referring to:  https://bluejeans.com/6179269027/2727

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Janet’s name to the Animal Rescue League of Boston, c/o Development, 10 Anna’s Place, Dedham, MA 02026, or online at https://www.arlboston.org/donate/

For more information, www.facebook.com/BarileFamilyFuneralHome