Tribute

Janet Lastovica, nurse, mother, friend, and active community member, passed away in Colorado Springs, CO, at the age of 87. She grew up in Cochituate, a small village west of Boston, MA. Ten years older than her next sibling, Janet learned a lot about caring for others that eventually led to the nursing career she always knew she wanted. She followed her dream, graduating from Niagara University, becoming a nurse in the U.S. Navy, and then back to MA where she was quickly promoted to head of her department at Massachusetts General Hospital. Love intervened when the attractive young nurse caught the eye of a handsome Navy lieutenant, Norman Lastovica, and they married in 1963. They bought a home in Natick, MA, which was followed by a move to Greenfield, NH, where Janet worked as a nurse at Camp Union. They eventually settled in an 1880’s farmhouse in Milford, NH and stayed for more than 30 years, raising their four children and immersing themselves in the community. At their scenic spot on Federal Hill Road, Janet enjoyed gardening, restoring their historic home, and attending auctions. She loved local excursions with her family including ice fishing, canoeing, swimming, and skating on lakes, especially nearby Rocky Pond. Nothing made her happier than jumping into the van with her carafe of coffee and heading out on a family camping trip. Janet hosted many holidays and get-togethers for family, friends, and neighbors, and was a card-carrying member of the International Association for the Advancement of Groundhog’s Day and the Nebraska Wine Tasting Society. While Janet attended her children’s basketball games, band concerts and track meets, she also served on the Milford School Board and somehow still found time to further her education. She earned a nurse practitioner’s license and worked in both clinic and hospital settings. Later, at Framingham State University, she received a Master’s degree in counseling and worked for many years as a substance abuse counselor. In their retirement, Janet and Norman relocated to Howard, CO to be closer to family and explore new territory. As always, their home was open to visiting friends and relatives–especially grandchildren. Janet continued her volunteer work through her involvement in the local ambulance service, the Howard Cemetery Association, and the Western Fremont Historical Society. She also assisted with the development of a startup medical clinic in Salida, CO.

Friends & Family

Janet was preceded in death by her parents, Horace Knaack and Genevieve (Didier) Knaack; sister Pamela; and brothers Gerald and Robert. Survivors include her sister Linda Knaack; brother David Knaack (Kathy Francis); children, Norman Lastovica (Claudia Quintana), Maria Hansen (Rick Mintle), Helen Lastovica (Jeff Clark), and Steven Lastovica (Stephanie Hamilton); grandchildren Taylor Newill, Nicolaus Hansen, Matthew Hansen, Forrest Clark, William Clark, Amelia Hansen and Corbin Lastovica; four great-grandchildren; and many friends, cousins, nieces and nephews.