Janice Marilyn (Hanna) Meade died peacefully at home on Feb. 2. She was 78.

The daughter of Norman F. Hanna and Mary Agnes Champney Hanna, she was born on Sept. 16, 1940 in Natick, the second youngest of six. A 1958 graduate of St. Mary’s High School in Waltham, she went on to attend Fitchburg State College. She enjoyed music and dance and helping out in the family diner, The Dairy Belle.

Janice and her husband Bill lived on Martha’s Vineyard where their two daughters, Cindy and Nicki, were born, joining the oldest child Peter. They moved to Sudbury when Bill was invited to establish a special education program at Lexington High School. They lived there until Bill’s retirement in 2000 and then moved to Bradenton, Fla. In retirement they traveled extensively throughout Europe and Hong Kong.

Janice will be remembered for her sense of humor, which she maintained through her last days, and her kindness, sweetness and devotion to her children and grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her husband of 54 years, William John Meade Jr. She is survived by her sister Diane Hanna of Natick; brothers James Hanna of Scituate and Daniel of West Tisbury; children Peter Meade of Richmond, Va., Sydni Meade of Ellenton, Fla.,, and Nicki Meade Draves of Brockton; four grandchildren and many loving cousins, nieces and nephews.

A funeral mass will be held for both Janice and Bill at St. Patrick Church, 44 East Central Street in Natick on May 10 at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow in the St. Patrick Cemetery in Natick.

Donations can be made to the Merritt Island Wildlife Association, the nonprofit that supports the efforts of the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, P.O. Box 2683, Titusville, FL 32781. Please indicate in memory of Janice and Bill Meade when sending donations.

To sign an online guestbook, visit www.everettfuneral.com.