LYNN — Janet Rowe, who retired as Lynn City Clerk at the end of February, passed away over the weekend after a brief illness.
Rowe was highly respected and adored in Lynn and spent 27 years working in the city. After a four-year stint working at the Lynn Police Station, the Lynn native served as an assistant city clerk for 14 years before being appointed as City Clerk in 2017.
Rowe, who also served as the elections chief, was deeply committed to her role and brought a sense of deep compassion and thoughtfulness to the job.
“I think you have to be a people person for this job,” she told the Daily Item in February. “You absolutely have to be… because there are a million stories that come across the counter, and we try to help so many people.”
Rowe will be missed by the Lynn community, as well as those within City Hall who knew her well.
“I am deeply saddened about the passing of Janet Rowe and share my condolences with her family, friends, and colleagues,” Mayor Jared C. Nicholson said. “She was a highly valued leader in City Hall and in this community, and her kindness will be sorely missed by us all.”
“Janet Coughlin Rowe’s sudden loss is not just a loss for her entire family but also our whole Lynn community,” Councilor-at-large Brian LaPierre posted on Facebook.
Council President Coco Alinsug remembered the longtime clerk as a steady and experienced presence at City Hall whose guidance shaped the work of multiple council administrations.
Alinsug reminisced on the last moments he spent with her: “A week before her last days at City Hall, we had a closed-door meeting and just talked about life in general. And I sent her my wishes and my jealousy, knowing that she’s retiring to get to spend whatever she wants to do.”
He chuckled softly, noting how upsetting it was that it was now not possible.
“She served several presidents,” Alinsug said. “She gave me a lot of suggestions, as well as how things needed to be changed in the council. She gave me input.”
“She was there to make sure that I was doing my work as president effectively. She also guided me,” Alinsug shared, adding that Rowe knew all the ins and outs of the council work.
Upon retirement, Rowe, whose last day with the City of Lynn was on Feb. 27, had been looking forward to her retirement and getting to spend time with her children and grandchildren, as well as traveling with her husband.
Rowe’s daughter, Kay, the Community Schools director at Washington Elementary, posted, “Thank you Mom for being the rock of this family. Losing you is the hardest thing we’ve ever experienced… Your battle was short but you were so strong.”
