Janet Richardson

Janet Rogers Richardson, 75, of Livingston, Montana, passed away peacefully at her home in Paradise Valley on Monday, February 16th, 2026. She was born on January 19th, 1951 in Louisville, Mississippi.

Janet grew up in Columbus, MS and Clinton-Sherman Air Force base in Burns Flat, Oklahoma before her stepfather, Jack, retired from the Air Force in San Diego, California with his family.

Janet was in nursing school in 1970 in Southern California when she met her husband, Michael McGough. They married, had two children, and remained in Orange County until 1976 before moving to Bozeman, Montana briefly and then on to Livingston; they ultimately settled on 10 acres in Paradise Valley where they built their home.

Janet’s career was in early education. She was passionate about her job and revered by her many students. She began as a classroom aide at Arrowhead School before earning her degree at MSU and went on to teach many grades at Arrowhead. After earning her Master’s degree in Library Sciences at MSU, she became the librarian at the Willson School of Science and Technology in Bozeman, followed by the role of Director of Media Science for the San Juan Capistrano School District in Orange County, CA. After retirement, she returned to her beloved home in Paradise Valley.

Janet is survived by her husband, Lewin Dover, of Livingston, MT; her daughter Karri McGough of Seattle, WA; her son Joshua McGough of Livingston, MT; her son Garrett Dover of Ft Worth, Texas; her son Quinn Dover of Denver, CO; her brother Bert Richardson of Spring Valley, CA; her sister Patrice Richardson of Lemon Grove, CA; her sister Joni Branning of Toomsuba, MS; her sister Jennifer Miller of Elk, CA. She was the very proud Grandmommy to Leo, Nolan, Lorelai, Levy, Maclan and Matilda. She was an aunt to many nieces and nephews who she loved as dearly as her own children.

Janet was preceded in death by her parents A.D. and Evelyn, stepfather Jack and her husband Mike. 

The family will honor her with a celebration of life in late spring/early summer of 2026.

Janet was known for her love of the arts, particularly music and dance, animals and especially her own pets, her family, and the view of Paradise Valley from her deck. May her memory be a blessing to us all.