Southbridge: Janice A. (Mahitka) Rousseau, 81, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 21 ^st , in the Brookside Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, Webster, after a long illness.

Her husband, Charles E. Rousseau, passed away in 1998.  Her son, Stephen Rousseau, passed away in 2005 and her son, Mark Rousseau, passed away in 2012.  Janice leaves her two sons, Robert Rousseau of Webster and Paul Rousseau of Southbridge; her two brothers, John Mahitka and Ken Mahitka, both of Luray, VA; her granddaughter, Jessica Rousseau; her great granddaughter, Jenna Rousseau; and nieces and nephews.  She was born in Brimfield the daughter of John and Evelyn (Bennet) Mahitka.

Janice worked as a lens technician at the American Optical Co. in Southbridge for over 25 years.  She later worked at Galileo Fiber Optics in Sturbridge for 10 years, before retiring many years ago.  Janice loved oil painting.  She also loved writing poetry and prose and some of her poems have been published.  Most of all she was a loving and caring mother who was very close with her sons.

Her funeral service will be held on Monday, Sept. 27 ^th , at 11:00am in the Daniel T. Morrill Funeral Home, 130 Hamilton St., Southbridge.  Burial will follow in New Notre Dame Cemetery, Southbridge.  Calling hours in the funeral home will be held on Monday, Sept. 27 ^th , from 9:00 to 11:00am, prior to the service.