Janet L. Allegretti

November 29, 1924 - January 16, 2021

Janet Lucille Allegretti, 96, died Saturday, January 16, 2021 at home, surrounded by her family. Born in Orange, NJ on November 29, 1924, she was the first child of Matthew Kajano (Caggiano) and Lucille Petrillo. She grew up in a large extended Italian American family. She moved to Albany when she was a teenager and graduated from Albany High School in 1942. After graduation, she worked as Secretary to the Train Master at the Albany Railroad Station and then in a similar position for the State of New York. On July 10, 1949, she married Joseph V. Allegretti of Albany at the former St. Anthony’s Church in downtown Albany. Afterwards, she worked as Secretary to the Chief Engineer at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Albany. In 1952, she gave birth to her first of four children and assumed her most treasured position: full-time mother. In the ensuing years, she never took a day off. Janet deepened her commitment to her children and community by volunteering for a variety of positions at St. Teresa of Avila in Albany. She loved to travel. Her favorite spots were the sandy beaches of the Jersey shore, Florida, Aruba, and Sunset Beach, NC. She loved to walk along the water’s edge for miles. She routinely outwalked all of us. She also enjoyed trips to her beloved Italy. Janet had tremendous energy and enjoyed a good time. Not only did she love to walk, but she also delighted in dancing. Swing music was her favorite. She and her husband were often the first—and among the best—on the dance floor, even into their 90s. In addition, she was always ready for fun. She enjoyed shopping at Stuyvesant Plaza and Macy’s and taking day trips to Saratoga, Lake George, Bennington, the Berkshires, Rhinebeck, and Manhattan. She loved decorating for the holidays, especially Christmas, and sharing food and laughter with family and friends. Janet was an affectionate and sociable woman. She and her husband, Joe, enjoyed the close friendships of dozens of couples—so many friends, it is impossible to list them without unintentionally omitting some. In the company of friends, she and Joe enjoyed countless parties, picnics, dinner dances, bingo nights at CBA, Siena basketball games, and cruises. Whenever anyone was in need, Janet always extended a helping hand. Janet’s culinary prowess was legendary, and everyone relished her delectable dishes. Her list of specialties was endless, but they ranged from biscotti to braciole, calamari to homemade cavatelli, chicken cutlets to eggplant parmigiana, lasagna to homemade manicotti, strufoli to zeppole. She was extremely artistic too. Janet knitted gorgeous scarves and blankets, sewed beautiful children’s clothes, made lovely ceramic pieces, completed and framed Italian-themed jigsaw puzzles, and always dressed stylishly. Janet lived her life to the fullest, and life provided her with a wealth of love, friendship, and adventure. Her efforts were always expressions of her profound love for family, friends, and community. She was predeceased by her parents, Matthew and Lucille Kajano (Caggiano); her brother, Matthew Caggiano, and his wife, Evelyn; her sisters-in-law, Crista Kajano and Donna Kajano. She is survived by Joseph Allegretti, her husband of nearly seventy-two years; her children, Joseph Allegretti (Suzanne), Lucille Allegretti-Freeman (John), Patti Allegretti Campbell (Bill), and Jim Allegretti (Mamie); five grandchildren, Matthew (Emily), Peter (Danielle), Nicholas (Tricia), Daniel (Steven), and Jason (Laura); six great-grandchildren; nine nephews and nieces. She is also survived by her brother, Peter Kajano, and his wife, Colleen. Because of COVID-19, the funeral Mass at The Church of Mater Christi in Albany will be private. Entombment will follow immediately at St. Agnes Cemetery in Menands. Contributions in Janet’s memory may be made to the Ronald McDonald House, 139 South Lake Avenue, Albany, NY 12208.