Janice Ritvo Marcus, 86
She was reunited with her husband on February 22, 2026, on the eve of a blizzard.
Janice Ritvo Marcus of Acton was born Janice Adele Ritvo in Malden at the stroke of midnight on October 12, 1939. She was reunited with her husband on February 22, 2026, on the eve of a blizzard. She always had a flair for the dramatic.
Janice and her older brother, Eugene, were the children of Mary and Lloyd Ritvo. Raised in a three-family house in Malden with their maternal grandparents, Rose and Max Coggan, Janice treasured her early life in a shared family home. She would continue this tradition with her mother and years later with her daughter Jessica and family.
On July 3, 1958, she married her Prince Charming, Leslie Saul Marcus, with whom she fell in love at 13 and married five years later. After graduating from Milton High School, Janice studied her passion, speech and language pathology, at Emerson College.
An avid teller of stories and a theatrical turner of the page, she had five children and was known in the neighborhood for her full pantry and generous offer to “come sit and stay for dinner.” For 30 years, they made their home on Cape Cod Lane in Hingham.
Never afraid to reinvent herself, Janice founded Beacon Hill Salads with her son David; they would execute a strategic partnership with Dunkin’ Donuts. A consummate entrepreneur, she was a firm believer in taking risks.
Her days were peppered with countless hours on the phone with friends and family whom she loved. Janice was a most adored mother and will be forever remembered and cherished by David Marcus (Julie) and their children Sammy, Lily, and Eli; Michael Marcus (Jennifer) and their children Ali, Sydney, and Max; Abigail Boyar (Glenn) and their children Jacob and Alexander; Joshua Marcus (Jodi) and their children Aaron and Sophie; Jessica Grogins (Jonathan) and their children Grace and Sam.
Although she was a big reader, Horton was her favorite literary protagonist, for he exhibited the characteristics she valued most. Janice meant what she said and said what she meant, our mother, the most faithful, 100%.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Trevor Project (thetrevorproject.org) or Hadassah (hadassah.org).
Service: Falmouth Jewish Congregation, 7 Hatchville Road, East Falmouth, on Thursday, February 26, at 11 a.m. The family will receive visitors that evening from 5-9 p.m. at 1172 Lowell Road, Acton.
