Our world stopped when we learned of the passing of our beloved sister Janet on July 27, 2022. One of five children, Janet was the rock and glue that held the Nohavec family together. Growing up on Pulis Avenue in Franklin Lakes in 3 different homes on the same street, Janet was not the proverbial “middle child”. In fact, the syndrome which indicates one is overlooked or unnoticed was the opposite. From an early age Janet brought unity and love to our family. She made our lives an adventure which without her would have been, and often was, a struggle. Even when she was a child, Janet changed the world by making it better.

We had quite a bit of property in Franklin Lakes which included a lake and a rowboat. In the summer she would lead us in capturing baby painter turtles. Aptly named, Janet thought it a good idea to paint the underside of the turtles before letting them go to see if we could find them downstream. We did find them once. What a thrill! In the winter we would build fires and ice skate. Janet was an excellent and athletic skater, and she could skate all day. When spring arrived too early one year, and a small patch of ice (200 feet in diameter) remained with open waters surrounding it, Janet fell in. She almost drowned. One of us saved her, but boy we got in trouble! Also, in winter Janet was always in charge of tobogganing and which hill would be best or fastest for the flying saucer. She knew how to pick them. 

Janet loved hosting parties at home (the church was her home as well) and she loved having big Halloween and Christmas get-togethers with all the nieces and families. Those were wonderful times and wonderful memories with lots of cheer and laughter. Life was an adventure for Janet. 

Her voyage into Spiritualism was challenged at every level. A true stoic and pioneer nothing stopped her. We are devastated by our grief. But rather than focus on our loss we must acknowledge the gift of how very lucky we were to have grown up with a sister who was an angel. 

Janet is survived by her brother Michael, sisters Mary, Irene and Nancy and her nieces in order of age: Amanda Dormery and her husband Patrick, Helen Nohavec, Rachel Johnston, Jane Johnston, Amy Johnston, Sarah Nohavec and her husband Eammon McParland, Emily Nohavec and her husband Sean Kelso and her grand nieces and nephews: Ava, Riley, Jack, Thea, Haley and Eloise.

With Reverence,

The Nohavec Family