Janice S. (Harwood) Miranda, RN, 83, of Dartmouth, passed away peacefully with her loving caretakers by her side at the Royal Cotuit Nursing Home on Wednesday, July 1, 2020.

Born in New Bedford, a daughter of the late James E. and Myrtle L. (Dixon) Harwood, she was a lifelong South Coast resident. She was a graduate of New Bedford Vocational High School and Bristol Community College where she earned her degree in nursing. Janice was employed over 25 years as a dialysis nurse, at the former Lakeville Hospital and Fresenius Medical Care, retiring in 2001. Her dedication, skill, and compassion towards her patients throughout her career has made an indelible difference in so many lives.

Her first marriage was to the late, Alfred Landry, with whom she shared three children. She later remarried the ‘“love of her life,” the late Robert Miranda.

Janice loved her family dearly and this love was profoundly reciprocated. She loved to entertain and was an outstanding cook. Her home was the gathering place for so many cherished and memorable occasions. Her favorite holiday was Christmas, when she enjoyed decorating for the festive season and delighted in the spirit of giving to others. She had the most generous heart and often teased her recipient to open their gifts early because she simply couldn’t stand the anticipation and excitement of waiting to see their enjoyment.

She had a heart of gold.

She and her husband Robert retired in Florida. They led a very active, social life. They enjoyed music and graced the dance floor with their fluid movements. They loved boating onboard “The Magician” and being in the sunny outdoors. Janice’s favorite place to relax was sitting in her recliner chair in their lanai with her beloved, support dog, Mickey on her lap. They would gaze out the window, which overlooked the river and marvel at the beautiful displays of tropical plant life, birds, various animals, and the most magnificent sunsets. Janice enjoyed gardening, coloring, ceramics, knitting and crafts. She excelled at and was fiercely competitive while playing the family’s favorite games - Solitaire and Chinese Checkers. She almost always won and would relish in her opponent’s defeat! She was an avid reader and had the quickest wit, always amusing and entertaining her audience. She was extremely outgoing and her warm personality attracted many friends wherever she went. Her dialysis colleagues fondly referred to her as “Auntie” and she referred to them as her “Committee”. Her playful sense of humor was most visible when she was with her dearest friend, the late Brenda Smusz. Together, they were always full of silly mischief and shenanigans.

She is survived by her sister, Susan Reilley, two daughters, Laura Landry Joshi and her husband Ravi of Dartmouth and Lynn Landry Tyndall and her husband Robert of E. Sandwich; a stepson, Robert Miranda, Jr. and his wife Carolyn of New Bedford; her grandchildren, Leena, Anjana, Nikhil, Christina, Heather, April and Kattie; great-grandchildren, Lea, Logan, Jaxon, and Cameron. She was the mother of the late Alfred Landry, Jr., stepmother of the late Joyce Miranda and grandmother of the late Kristie Miranda.

Janice will be missed immensely and will be remembered always. We take comfort in knowing she is not gone; but rather, in a better place - where we will one day reunite.

A graveside memorial service will be held on Monday, August 17, 2020 at 10 a.m. in Rural Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited. 

Contributions may be made in Janice’s honor to: Alzheimer's Assoc., 36 Cameron Ave., Cambridge, MA 02140-1102.

For online guestbook, visit www.rock-funeralhome.com.