Janice Aileen Mulligan, age 60 years, of Clinton Township, NJ, died peacefully on Monday, July 11, 2022, at Morristown Medical Center, Morristown, NJ, surrounded by her loving family.

Born on October 30, 1961, in Jersey City, NJ, she was the second child of Mary Jane English Detlet and the late Kenneth Joseph Detlet, Sr. Raised in New Providence, NJ, Janice had lived in Annandale for over thirty years.

Graduating from New Providence High School, Janice would further her education at Villanova University, earning her BA in English. Having what many would classify as a passion for proper grammar, Janice simply loved the English language and enjoyed learning and then educating others about its roots and development.

Meeting a young John Robert Mulligan, Jr. on her first day of classes in the late 1970’s while he was a Junior and she a Freshman at Villanova, proved fortuitous for them both on many levels. Joining hands in holy matrimony on August 20, 1983, in New Providence, the couple would be blessed with three daughters who were the light of their mother’s life. Katie, Kimmie Anne, and Maggie Rose all fondly recall the life lessons Janice taught them, especially those of caring for others deeply and passionately, and to live each moment of life to the fullest that one is able.

When she was promoted to the title of ‘Mimi’ with the birth of her twin granddaughters, Victoria and Reagan, Janice and John jumped into their new role as grandparents with all their being. Victoria and Reagan would be joined shortly by “Little Man Nate,” and all three loved their time with Mimi, who equally enjoyed spoiling them at every turn.

For more than ten years, Janice was the Chapter Coordinator for Ronald McDonald House Charities, Greater New York Area Chapter, working in development and focusing on their grants and scholarship programs. Janice was an active member of the Clinton Township community, working as the Editor of the Clinton Township Newsletter as well as serving as a Girl Scout Leader for each of her three daughters for decades, making many friends along the way.

Having many hobbies, Janice greatly enjoyed traveling with friends, spending time ‘down the shore,’ and of course with her ‘Bunco Babes,’ drinking a glass of a good Pinot Grigio, and driving her Jeep Wrangler.

Though many will say her life was cut tragically short and choose to find only sadness in her passing, her family would rather that each person reading this remember the devotion to life with which Janice lived, and to let that passion propel you forward.

In addition to her father, Kenneth, who died in January of this year, Janice was preceded in death by her sister, Lisa Marie Detlet-Young, who died in June and who was surely to have welcomed Janice when she went home to God.

Surviving are her husband, John; her daughters and son-in-law, Caitlin Aileen and Stephen Dombrowski, Kimberly Anne Mulligan, and Maggie Rose Mulligan; her mother, Mary Jane Detlet; her grandchildren, Victoria Rose, Reagan Aileen, and Nathaniel Stephen Dombrowski; her brothers and sisters-in-law, Kenneth and Janet Detlet, Jr., Michael and Anne Detlet, and Matthew and Nicole Detlet; her brother-in-law, Bruce Young; many cherished nieces, nephews, aunts, cousins, and extended family; and many dear friends.

With a nod to Janice’s wit and those she loved, please gather with your friends and family, and raise a glass in her honor with this toast: “May your glass be ever full. May the roof over your head be always strong. And may you be in heaven half an hour before the devil knows you’re dead.”

All are invited to join the family for a gathering on Thursday, July 21, 2022, from 4:00-8:00 p.m., in the Chapel of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ. A vigil service officiated by Rev. Kris Kaczynski will take place at 7:30 p.m.

There will be an additional period of gathering on Friday, July 22, 2022, from 10:00-10:30 a.m., with a life celebration service at 10:30 a.m. All are welcome to attend. If you would like to share a story and/or thoughts about Janice for possible inclusion in the service, please click HERE to send an email to the funeral home with your words. Kindly include your contact information.

Interment will be private.

You are encouraged to visit Janice’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of her life.

Memorial contributions in her honor may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, via mail to 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or online by clicking HERE.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”

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