Janet Ann Stribbell (née Gaffney), a longtime resident of Farmington Hills and more recently of American House in Bloomfield Hills, passed away peacefully and was reunited in heaven with her beloved husband, Jerry, on what would have been his 85th birthday — a tender reminder that their love endures beyond this life. 

Jan courageously fought cholangiocarcinoma for seven months and we are grateful to her doctors and the staff at Henry Ford for caring for her. We are also forever grateful for the loving care she received at Angela Hospice in Waterford.

Born on January 4, 1943, to Magdalen and Paul Gaffney, Janet devoted her life to caring for others—both professionally and personally. She proudly served as a nurse for 50 years, a career that reflected her deep compassion and steady grace. She cared for her family with the same love and devotion.

Jan was the beloved wife of the late Gerald (“Jerry”) Stribbell, with whom she shared 57 years of marriage filled with love, laughter, and family adventures. Together they raised six children who were her greatest joy: Beth Obear (Tom), Laura Horner (Todd), Kristine Gillespie (Kevin), Jeff Stribbell (Brandi), Carilyn Coffer (Ian), and Jennifer Gordon (Todd).

She was a devoted and proud Nana to Katelyn Castle (Jake), Ryan Obear (Anna), Tyler Obear (Megan), Megan Vance (Daniel), Lily Hale (Michael), Brendan Burkhart, Noah Gillespie, Dominic Gillespie, Quinn Gillespie, Faith Gillespie, Lauren Stribbell (Mark), Dylan Stribbell, Owen Coffer, Alanah Coffer, Arika Coffer, Sam Gordon, Max Gordon, and Cate Gordon.

Jan’s grandchildren will forever cherish memories of her joyful spirit during the holidays and her creativity—Easter egg hunts in the yard, Halloween parties complete with donuts hanging from the trees, the annual kids cookie bake, sewing lessons, hot cheesies, weekends spent “up north,” and countless moments of laughter and love.

Jan is also survived by her loving siblings, Jean Reiterer (Chuck), Jim Gaffney (Marlene) and Pat Newman (the late Walt).

Her life was filled with simple pleasures: time with family at the Lake Ogemaw cottage, baking, sewing, playing dominoes with the domino sisters, traveling, and sharing her warmth with everyone she met. She was incredibly proud of her Irish heritage, and the tradition of corned beef, Irish music, shamrock cookies, leprechaun decorations, and parfaits is a treasured part of her legacy. Jan’s kindness, humor, and gentle heart touched all who knew her.

She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her family and friends, whose lives were forever brightened by her love.

On Friday, November 14th, Jan will lie in state at 9:30 a.m. at the St. Hugo of the Hills Stone Chapel, 2215 Opdyke Road, Bloomfield Hills, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. The family will celebrate Jan’s life privately after the Mass.

Memorial donations may be made to the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation at cholangiocarcinoma.org.