Janet Downing Taylor died on Thursday, February 5 at the home of her daughter, one day short of her 87th birthday.

A beloved member of the First Unitarian Church of Providence since 1990, it is impossible to say what Janet was 'best known for' other than her fierce devotion to the church, including the Women's Alliance, the Transylvania Church Partnership, and the History Committee.

Janet graduated from The Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in Graphic Design. In her early career, she owned her own business named Stuff and Nonsense, which was a line of handmade stuffed animals that she sold independently.  She was also a graphic designer with Hasbro and other local toy manufacturers.  Perhaps most notably, Janet was part of the original team to design and develop the first 12-inch G.I. Joe and is featured in the documentary about this original action figure.  Later, she became the art director at E. Rosen Co. and Schoolhouse Candy in Pawtucket, RI. She was part of the product development department at Sherwood Brands, LLC in East Providence, RI before retiring.

Janet took great pride in all of her artistic creations and used her skills to help family, friends, the church community and other volunteer projects throughout her life.  Her work can be seen in countless First Unitarian Church logos, signs, and items, such as the Chalice and Soul Circle logos and the graphics for the church's 300th Anniversary.   Another example of Janet's legacy of artistic contributions to her community is the Livable RI Poster Campaign.

Janet loved life.  She instilled a love of nature in her children, both of whom continue to find solace and joy in the natural world.  Before she moved into the Wayland Manor in 2023, she adored spending time in her backyard garden, which she tended for nearly 60 years.  She had a curiosity that defied satisfaction and a powerful mind that relished problem solving.  She was a ProJo crossword puzzle wiz and an avid reader.

The many people who loved Janet will remember her as a hard working, devoted and fun-loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, step-mother, aunt, grandmother, co-worker and friend with a generous spirit, an infectious laugh and mischievous sense of humor.

Janet is predeceased by her parents Carleton F. Smith, Geraldine H. (Sechrist) Smith, her husband Alfred Taylor Jr., her sister Gloria Elaine Bello, her ex-husband and father of her children, Jay Elliot Downing.

Janet is survived by her daughters, Gwendolyn May Forrester (partner Meredith Novak) of Liberty, Tennessee and Elizabeth Antoinette Downing (husband James Talbot Frain) of Seekonk, Massachusetts, her grandson Rayan Downing and granddaughter, Morgan Novak, both of Liberty, Tennessee.  Janet is also survived by her stepchildren,  Debbi Rockett of Attleboro, MA, Eric Stabile of Lincoln, RI, Donna Landry of Oxford ME, David Taylor of Frankfort, ME, Paula Southworth of Coventry RI, and Bonnie Coletta (husband Michael Coletta) of Coventry, RI.

A Celebration of Janet's life will be held at the First Unitarian Church of Providence on Saturday April 25, 2026 at 2 PM, followed by a reception.

Services are humbly entrusted into the care of Southcoast Funeral Homes at Ferreira Chapel "Celebrating A Life Well Lived"