Janice Carol Eldred died peacefully in the early morning hours of May 4, 2016 at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts.  She had been held in the continual embrace of touch and song by her family and friends throughout the previous two days.  Her sisters were by her side when she passed gently into the light.

Born on January 12, 1961 at Samaritan Hospital in Troy, New York, Janice was the daughter of the late June and William Eldred of Hoosick Falls, NY.  Janice also became a beloved member of the family of the late John and Hazel Eggers and spent much of her growing-up years in Castleton, NY.  She graduated valedictorian of her high school class and went on to study at Drew University and New York University.  When she discovered the School for International Training in Brattleboro, Vermont, she felt she had found the perfect fit.  It was at S.I.T. that she entered the World Issues Program and completed a semester internship in India.  Her experiences there with the Auroville community and the Tamil culture had a profound effect on her life.

Being fond of word play, Janice took the additional name of Emma Grant to connect with the "immi-grant" side of her nature.  Even as a young woman in her 20's, she was able to articulate what would become her life-long passion: "My life knows where it longs to take itself, the soul knows where its work lies, and immersion in another culture, experiencing another language and its subsequent view of reality, for me, is where I shall meet my teachers."   She sought out new learning through all of her travels, writing about her experiences with eloquent reflection.

Janice's interest in travel began in childhood, camping with the Eggers as they explored the country together.  Between college semesters, she headed off to jobs in Europe that allowed her to travel through many countries, being particularly fond of her time spent working and living in Switzerland.  In the years after her work and travels in India, she journeyed on many an Amtrak train to return to the Pacific Northwest, the west coast, and her beloved Southwest.  Her travels also returned her to Spain and to Mexico and the artisan communities of Oaxaca.  Janice was never happier than when she had a bag packed, visualizing her next adventure.

As a citizen of the world, Janice could not turn away from global problems or the ills of our own society; she carried these deep concerns with her.  Yet, she found solace and rejuvenation in the natural world, especially that which surrounded her in Putney, Vermont, and she found deep connection within Putney's caring community.  She committed herself to a simple, sustainable lifestyle and lived a life that was meaningful and kind.  Over the years, she worked at the Common Ground Restaurant in Brattleboro, the Putney Food Co-op, and Walnut Ridge Farm.  Most significantly, she was a caregiver to many of the people and animals of her community, though it was known that cats were her animal of choice.

Janice is survived by her sister Faye Mihuta (James) of Saratoga Springs; sister June Horton (Allan) of Wilmington, MA; niece Alie Mihuta of Washington, DC; cousin Lillian Hewitt (Kent Goodermote) of Berlin, NY;  and her extended family.

With great appreciation, Janice's family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and support staff of the Brattleboro Memorial Hospital and Baystate Medical Center for the special care they extended to Janice.  Our heartfelt thanks also go out to the community of friends who supported her throughout her illness.

There will be a private family memorial service and also a community celebration of Janice's life to be held June 18 at Friends Meeting House, Putney, Vt from 2:30-5:30. (teresasavel@yahoo.com).  Contributions may be made in Janice's memory to the Q'ewar Project, a Peruvian women's initiative she supported ( www.qewar.com ), or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Om Shalom.  Om Salaam.  Om Shanti.  Deep peace be with you, sweet soul.