Plaistow, NH: Janice E (Keezer) DeTour, 87 of Plaistow and a former longtime resident of Newton, died peacefully on April 17, 2019 at High Point Hospice House, with her family by her side.
Born, raised and educated in Middlebury VT., daughter of the late Roy and C. Lucille (Landman) Keezer, she graduated Middlebury High School with the Class of 1949 and went on to receive her Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education from the Sargent School of Boston University.
A devoted teacher, Mrs. DeTour taught in school systems in Fairhaven, VT, Keene, NH, Danbury, CT, and the Sanborn Regional High School in Kingston, NH, where she also served as a girls' basketball and softball coach. She also found time for many years to work at the former Larry's Clam Bar in Plaistow, NH. Following her retirement from teaching, she was employed as a Rural Mail Carrier for the Exeter, NH Post Office, and later as a bus driver for the Timberlane School District and driver for the Meals on Wheels Program of the Vic Geary Senior Center in Plaistow.
A member of the First Baptist Church of Plaistow, she enjoyed knitting, crocheting, playing Bingo and Cribbage, and dining out with friends. She had a lifelong devotion to dogs and horses and in her younger years, she enjoyed raising and showing Australian Cattle Dogs, horseback riding, and supporting her daughters as they competed in pony racing.
Predeceased by her sisters, Lorice Keezer and Phyllis (Keezer) Simmons, she will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by a son and daughter-in-law, Bruce and Kathy VanGuilder, of Fairhaven , ME, two daughters and their spouses, Denise and Wayne DiTonno of Wakefield, MA, and Michele DeTour and Mary McEneany of Greenfield, MA, a niece Lori Sadewicz, and two nephews Doug and Brad Simmons. She was also the proud Grammie to her eight grandchildren, Amanda Bergeron and her husband John, Amy Weinhold and her husband Barry Christopher DiTonno and his wife Lindsey, Eric DiTonno and his wife Danielle, Sarah DiTonno and her boyfriend Jake, Hanna DiTonno Barry O'Neill, Jr., and Melissa Kennedyand loving Gigi to her four great- grandchildren, Jackson, Tommy, Thomas and Julien and was eagerly awaiting the birth of her fifth great-grandson.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Mrs. DeTour's Life Celebration to be held on Friday, April 26, 2019 from 3 to 7 p.m. at Brookside Chapel & Funeral Home, 116 Main St., Route 121A, Plaistow, NH. Her funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2019 at 11 a.m. in the funeral home chapel with burial to follow in Plaistow Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial donations be made to Rockingham Nutrition Meals on Wheels to support Plaistow Transportation, 106 North Road, Brentwood, NH, 03833. To send a message of condolence to the family, please visit www.brooskdeichapelfh.com.