Janyce E. Conklin

Janyce (Dorsey) Conklin, age 82, a 44-year resident of Norfolk passed away peacefully on July 3rd after a long battle with progressive dementia. She was surrounded by her husband and son at her passing.

Born January 3rd 1944 in Denver Colorado, she was the third and youngest child of the late Vivian (Zesch) Dorsey and Emery Dorsey Jr., and the spouse of husband William Conklin with whom she shared 60 years of loving marriage.

Growing up, Jan’s grandfather owned and operated the Denver Golf and Tennis sporting goods store and her parents owned and operated the Fruit Basket grocery stores. Jan’s grandfather and mother were inductees into the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame in the 1970s and 80s. Jan graduated from Denver’s East High School and briefly attended the University of Colorado before her marriage in 1966. As an Air Force spouse, she lived in Turkey and taught at the US school for military children and as a special needs teacher in the Great Falls, Montana school system. During her husband’s civilian career in Pittsburgh, Atlanta, and San Francisco, Jan was primarily a homemaker and parent. In 1982 the family moved to Norfolk MA where she worked at a variety of office positions in medical, real estate, cabinet making and financial enterprises in the MetroWest Boston area.

Jan’s greatest contribution was to Norfolk volunteerism. She was often a co-founder or president of a variety of town-oriented organizations such as NOVA, the Garden Club of Norfolk, King Philip High School All Night Party Committee, the Town Hill Project, the Norfolk and Franklin Art Councils, the Town Personnel Board, and the Pondville/Southwood Hospital Board of Trustees and Auxiliary.

Jan had several passions, her family-especially her granddaughters, spending time with good friends, travel, skiing, hiking, golf, tennis, soccer and her creative arts. Her travel included much of Europe, Asia, Middle East, every state and all the major National Parks. Jan always felt most at home in the mountains, wherever they might be, but most frequently in Colorado and New Hampshire.

Jan was an accomplished creative artist exploring a variety of media and techniques including stained glass, painting, collage, and pastels with many of her pieces featured in local galleries. She studied under Franklin Artist Susan Kelley and many of her works grace homes in many places around the country.

Jan leaves behind an older brother Emery Dorsey (Denver), her husband Bill (Norfolk), her son Christopher, her daughter-in-law Joana and granddaughters Danielle 19 and Leanne 16, all of Rockville MD. Jan is predeceased by her sister Luanne Dorsey

A Celebration of Life is planned for October 16th 2026 at the Norfolk Federated Church.

The Charles F. Oteri and Son Franklin Funeral Home 33 Cottage St. is honored to assist the Conklin family.

Guestbook www.franklinfuneral.com