Janell Baker Lang

Janell Baker Lang of Ottawa Hills, died early Wednesday morning October 5, 2011 after a brave battle with cancer. She, her family and her friends, will take comfort that she was in the home she built and loved holding the hands of her children whom she did the same. Janell was born in Chicago, IL on January 13, 1945 to Harold and Alyce Flynn Baker. She grew up in Kenilworth, IL and received her bachelors degree from Mundelein College now Loyola University in Chicago, IL. Moving to Toledo in 1971, Janell began her 36-year career at Owens Community College. Janell earned her Masters Ed.S from The University of Toledo in 1974, and in the spring of 1985 was appointed Dean of the College of Health Sciences; a position she held until her retirement in 2007. The quiet life didnt seem to be enough for this hardworking, life-long educator so she returned to academics shortly thereafter at Mercy College of Ohio, where until her death held the position of Director of Institutional Assessment and Planning. Throughout her academic tenure, Janell held many leadership positions including former President of the National Network of Health Career Programs in Two-Year Colleges and was elected to the Board of Directors of the Health Professions Network. She was a member of the National Council of Institutional Administrators, the Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions, the American College Health Association, and the Ohio Association of Two-Year Colleges. She was committed to providing the best opportunities to her students and creating an empowering environment for her colleagues and friends. Janell truly loved what she did for a living, it was never just a job; something we should all be so grateful to find in our own lives. She was an inspiration to those around her through her leadership and example, a friend to all through her selfless actions and generosity. Janell saw living proof of her successes while being treated by so many of her former and current students while fighting her disease. It was truly amazing to see so many people touched by the work of this caring teacher and mentor. So many people have enriched Janells life in Toledo and her children, Elizabeth and James Patrick, would like to especially thank those who lent a hand, an ear or a hug though the last year. They could not have done it without the support of their extended family, Janells close friends, neighbors and colleagues. The family would also like to thank the amazing healthcare providers of the oncology unit at Toledo Hospital, Dr. Robert Zimmerman, the tender caregivers of all kinds at Hospice of Northwest Ohio and Dr. Marsha Paul. Janell is preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Alyce Flynn Baker, her sister Joan Baker Metzger, her niece Mary-Alyce Andrews Torres and her husband of 31 years James Brady Lang. Janell is survived by her children, Elizabeth Flynn Lang and James Patrick Lang, her sisters, Joyce Andrews and Jean Reysa, as well as sixteen nieces and nephews. Beloved mother, sister, aunt, mentor, colleague and friend, Janell Baker Lang will be missed. Family will be receiving friends at the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 Sylvania Avenue west of Corey Rd. on Monday, October 10, 2011 from 4-7 p.m. The funeral mass will be held at Rosary Cathedral, 2535 Collingwood Blvd. on Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 11a.m. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Janell B. Lang Scholarship Fund at Owens Community College or Mercy College of Ohio so that she can continue to contribute to the education of healthcare providers for years to come. Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting our website at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com.