Janet was baptized at St. Luke Episcopal Church and attended there throughout her life. One of the many duties she assumed at church was the outreach committee chairman. Her famous Roast Beef and Salad Bar dinner not only helped the church with outreach projects, but also benefited the outreach efforts of Niles Community Services.
Janet and husband Bill raised their family in Niles. While her own children were still young and the need was great, Janet was asked by a social worker to consider volunteering to be a foster mom. She agreed and was the “mom” for 24 babies. Janet was the bench coach mom and scorekeeper for her sons’ little league teams and ran the concession stand during youth football games.
Janet was loved by all who knew her as she led her active busy life. She was a loving spouse and a really good cook. Her homemaking talents were recognized early in life as she won the Betty Crocker Homemaker Award while in high school. When her children married and began families, Janet didn’t turn out to be your average cookie baking grandma. She enjoyed many outings like skiing in Colorado, horseback riding and fly-fishing trips to the Bob Marshall Wilderness in Montana, snowmobiling in Michigan, and many fishing trips to Quebec. Janet hosted friends and family at a campsite at Lake Milton, where she spent many hours riding her pontoon “Restless Spirit,” and WaveRunner. During the summer months she loved to ride her motorcycle, often all the way to Florida to visit her daughter. She also loved driving her pickup truck to Florida accompanied by one or more of her grandchildren, first with William, who gave her the nickname “JJ”, and then Michael, Nikki, Carl, and Matthew. They would pass the time by singing or playing word games.
Janet’s greatest gift was helping others in need. This passion to help others was evident throughout her life. She was always there ready to serve. From foster children, to working as a swimming instructor and volunteer aide at Fairhaven School, to church outreach projects, she always served with a warm wonderful smile. Janet was a caring, loving person who will be deeply missed by family, friends, and all who knew her.
Janet is survived by her husband of 61 years, William M.; four children, Kenneth (Louise Walters) of the United Kingdom, Michael (Julie) of Fairfield, Ohio, Michele Thomas of Largo, Florida, and Craig (Sarah) of Austintown; five grandchildren, William, Carl (Emily), Michael, Nicole (Ben) Brown, and Matthew (Alexis); and two great grandchildren, Theodore and Sophie.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Carl E. Williams.
Donations in memory of Janet can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org
Calling Hours will be from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday March 26, 2022 at the Holeton-Yuhasz Funeral Home in Niles. A private memorial will be held at a later time. Interment will be in Niles City Cemetery.
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Published by Mahoning Matters on Mar. 24, 2022.
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