Janet Parsons Mackey

Janet Parsons Mackey, educator, minister, writer, traveler, and devoted mother and grandmother, died July 12th, 2026, following a brief illness. Born on December 21, 1934, in Moradabad, India, where her father taught at the Woodstock School and her mother worked within the school’s support community.

In 1937, Janet’s family returned to Minnesota following an extensive journey through the Middle East and Europe. She was raised in the Minneapolis area and later Morningside, Minnesota. Janet graduated from Edina-Morningside Junior-Senior High School in 1952. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Minnesota College of Education in 1956, a Master of Divinity degree from Yale University Divinity School in 1960, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Andover-Newton Theological School in 1992.

Janet devoted her professional life to ministry, education, and community service. In 1963, she served as an organizer for King’s March on Washington. Her early ministry included service at Cleveland Park Congregational Church, Wider City Parish of New Haven, Pilgrim Congregational Church in Dorchester, and the Congregational Church of Needham, United Church of Christ. She was ordained at the Congregational Church of Needham in November 1979 and went on to serve numerous congregations throughout Massachusetts as a professional interim pastor between 1985 and 2007. She also taught Interim Basic Training as a faculty member of the Interim Ministry Network.

A gifted writer, Janet authored and contributed to numerous publications. Her work included essays, poetry, theological resources, and her memoir, Things Get Rearranged: How E. Dudley Parsons and His Passion for Justice: from Minnesota to Moscow, published in 2015. Her writing reflected her commitment to faith, justice, family, and lifelong learning.

Travel was among Janet’s enduring passions. From an early educational tour of Europe to family journeys in France, Mexico, and Canada, and more than a dozen visits to Russia and France, she embraced opportunities to learn from people and cultures around the world. In 2000, she returned to India with family members to revisit Woodstock School in Mussoorie, reconnecting with her birthplace and family history.

Janet was active in her local church and her community. She participated in a writers’ group, volunteered as a literacy tutor, and pursued her interests in reading, writing, cooking, gardening, and nurturing lifelong friendships. Above all, she treasured time with her family.

Janet was preceded in death by her parents Luella Christine Austin Parsons and E. Dudley Parsons Jr., and siblings, Carol Louise Parsons and James Dickey Parsons.

She is survived by her sons, Eric Charles Mackey and Steven Parsons Mackey; her daughters-in-law, Phoebe Flynn and Olga Boiko Mackey; her beloved grandchildren, Christian Cian Davila-Flynn, Milo Charles Mackey, Dylan Johan Mackey, and Jessica Janet Mackey; her brothers, Ernest Dudley Parsons and Rolf William Parsons; and many extended family members, cousins, friends, colleagues, and parishioners whose lives she touched.

Janet Parsons Mackey will be remembered for her unwavering faith, compassionate ministry, love of learning, dedication to social justice, literary accomplishments, and deep devotion to her family. Her wisdom, generosity, and grace enriched the lives of all who knew her, and her legacy will continue through the countless individuals she served, mentored, and loved.

Services are currently pending and will be announced soon.

1. If you would wish to send a donation to one of Janet's preferred charities, please donate to one of the following:
2. 
   
3. • Little River UCC, 8410 Little River Turnpike, Annandale VA 22003; 703-978-3060; www.lrucc.org
4. 
   

1. • Woodstock School, Tehri Road, UK; Mussoorie 248279 India

+91-135-263-9300; www.woodstockschool.in

1. • Edina-Morningside Community Church UCC, 3201 Morningside Road,

Edina MN 55416; 952-926-6555; www.emcucc.org

1. • Wellesley Congregational Church (pastoral residents’ fund),

2 Central Street, Wellesley MA 02482, 781-235-1988; wellesleyvillagechurch.org