Janet M. (Fournier) Lavinio of Water Mill Dies June 25

Janet M. (Fournier) Lavinio of Water Mill died on June 25 at East End Hospice. She was 95.

She was born in Sag Harbor on September 29, 1928, to William Fournier Sr. and Mildred Althea Payne of Montauk.

Growing up in Sag Harbor was a special privilege, she said. She often spoke about her many friends, Pierson classmates and teachers, and her church activities at the First Presbyterian (Old Whalers’) Church. Her favorite quote was, “You can leave the Harbor, but the Harbor never leaves you.”

She graduated as valedictorian from Pierson High School in 1946, the Southampton School of Nursing in 1949, and Southampton College, summa cum laude, in 1979 with a Bachelor of Art degree in psychology.

She had many experiences in nursing: first as staff nurse at Southampton Hospital, the head nurse of Pediatrics, the Men’s Ward, and Surgical I. One of these patients, Jack Willis, wrote a book, “But There Are Always Miracles,” dedicated to Dr. Spinzia, Janet Lavinio, and Clyde Holman, a nursing orderly on Surgical I.

Her career also included working as a private duty nurse, office nurse, and staff nurse at the original Todd Nursing Home. Her last nursing assignment was her favorite: school nurse/teacher at Southampton High School. She loved “all her kids,” as she called them, knew them all by name, and helped them as much as she possibly could. She said she felt fulfilled being there for her kids whenever they needed her. It was virtually impossible to go out in public without encountering former students who insisted on giving her a hug.

She met Francis Lavinio while she was a student nurse and they were married on November 5, 1949. They were happily married for almost 55 years. She and her husband were very civic minded and actively involved in rescuing the Southampton Town Hall’s cupola from destruction.

She had been a member/officer of the Water Mill Museum, a volunteer at the Parrish Art Museum, and a member/officer of the Suffolk School of Nursing Alumnae Association.

She was a passionate cook and baker and enjoyed sharing her goodies. “A gift from the hearth is a gift from the heart.” Her pies and cookies were famous.

She also was a cat lover and gave many strays a home throughout the years.

She said that she was blessed with a wonderful and loving family and many special and giving friends. They, and the New York Yankees, made her life worthwhile.

She is survived by daughters Marie Lavinio and her husband Arne Waldstein, of Housatonic, Massachusetts, Nancy and her husband Oren Bloostein, of New York City, and Carol Topping, of Southampton; grandsons Andrew Bloostein, of Norwalk, Connecticut, and Sam Bloostein, of New York City; godson James Topping, of Melrose, Massachusetts; dear friend and neighbor Cathy Andrews Distefano of Water Mill; and several beloved nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Francis; sister Rosalie Jacobs; her parents; and her brother Billy.

A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, September 7, at 1 p.m., at the First Presbyterian (Old Whalers’) Church, 44 Union Street, Sag Harbor.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Water Mill Museum, P.O. Box 63, Water Mill, NY 11976, and to the First Presbyterian (Old Whalers’) Church of Sag Harbor, P.O. Box 1241, Sag Harbor, NY 11963.