Obituary of Janine K. Greene

Janine (King) Greene of Marlborough, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on September 25, 2018. She was born in Melrose, Massachusetts, to Lucille C. and Edwin H. King on May 20, 1934.

Janine, also known as Nini or J-9, attended Melrose High School, graduating in 1952, the same year as Robert H. Greene, an acquaintance and, unbeknownst to either, her future husband. She went on to Colby College, where she was a member of Chi Omega and completed a BA in History in 1956. After applying for an array of jobs, including one with the CIA, she became a flight attendant for the iconic Eastern Airlines, where she worked for twelve years, flying the pioneering Boston-New York shuttle and later the New York-Washington DC shuttle. During this time she lived in Boston and later in DC, and was able to travel extensively around the world. In 1969 she left the airlines and soon after married Bob, moved to Connecticut, and started a family. During this time she became active in Girl Scouts, bell choir, and other volunteer activities.

She was an avid tennis player, runner, and golfer; loved to read Harper’s Magazine and The Atlantic and debate politics; and was a true social butterfly, most in her element at a bridge game or cocktail party. Her favorite place in the world was at her cabin on Kezar Lake, in Lovell, Maine, which she purchased in 1966 on her flight attendant’s salary, and where she spent many happy years with family and treasured friends.

She leaves behind her daughter, Jennifer B. Greene (Mark Maguire) of Montclair, New Jersey, and her son, R. Derek Greene (Christine Vranka) of Louisville, Colorado. She will also be missed by three grandchildren: Lucy Maguire, George Charles Maguire, and Zahra Greene; her brother, E. Harlan King (Janet King); her dear friend Martha Soliday; and many other cherished family members and friends. She will be remembered not only as a loving mother and wife and a devoted friend, but as a smart, stylish, opinionated, and strong-willed independent thinker who loved to laugh and always did things her own way. She was predeceased by her deeply beloved husband, Bob, and sister, Paula Gaynor (Robert Gaynor).

A memorial service will be held at the Connecticut River Valley Inn in Glastonbury, Connecticut, on October 20 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to the Cure Alzheimer's Fund or to the Kezar Lake Watershed Association. For online condolences please visit www.mulryanfh.com.