Janice Dambreville Obituary

Janice Elaine Dambreville (Kimbrel) of Boston, Massachusetts, passed away on the morning of Wednesday July 16th, 2025, surrounded by family at Mass. General Hospital at the age of 77

The eldest daughter of Carter and Bernice (Heggie) Kimbrel, Janice was raised in the family home in Dorchester and attended Girls Latin School. Her cousin and best friend Mary "Cookie" Shepard (Heggie), have cherished memories of purchasing after-school sweets from the delis along Blue Hill Avenue. An exceptional, kind and gifted student, Janice helped support her father's Beacon Hill law practice as well as his political career that included serving a term in the Mass State House.

She married Emmanuel Dambreville Jr and helped support and navigate his decorated career as a First Sergeant Detective in the Boston Police Department's Homicide Division. Janice and Emmanuel purchased a home in Dorchester's lower mills neighborhood in the late 1970s, helping to courageously/unapologetically integrate the neighborhood.

While working in a variety of childcare, social service and education jobs, Janice raised three children. She also served as caretaker for her father, mother, youngest sister and husband during their illnesses and passings. Janice had the rare and beautiful gift of making everyone feel special. Whether through a kind word, a gentle smile, or just listening. She had an extraordinary way of making others feel seen, heard, and valued. To be in Janice's presence was to feel important because to her, everyone was.

Janice was an exceptional cook, with a sophisticated pallet, she had an encyclopedic knowledge of diverse cuisines and words. An avid follower of politics, she followed national and international developments closely, often expressing her hopes, concern and deep empathy for humanity. She tirelessly watched murder mystery shows while enjoying her retirement.

A beloved grandmother known affectionately as G-MA, she played a major role in all her 8 grandchildren and niece's lives. Janice gave her time, tutoring and providing therapy. GMA included them on her shopping and restaurant excursions during after-school pick-ups, weekends or summers.

She is survived by her sister Bernice (Frank) Dorsey, her cousin Cookie (Christine) Shepard and her children BPD Officer Emmanuel "Manny" Dambreville III of Dorchester, Heather Dambreville-Wright (Sandy) of Milton, and Derrick Dambreville of Dorchester. Janice has a host of grandchildren and a niece that she loved; Ulysses Junior De La Cruz, Emmanuel "EJ" Dambreville IV, Khaliyah Dambreville, Makeiyah Brie Dambreville, Stephan Evans, Carter Stone Dambreville, Zoe Dambreville and Avery Louise Dambreville-Wright and her niece Jillian Baker. There are also a plethora of nieces and nephews that she loved and would do anything for!

Last but not least, she leaves behind a host of close friends and extended family, who cherish Janice's memory. Rest in peace, dearest mother, sister, partner and treasured friend. We miss you now. We always will.

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