Janet L. Stewart

Janet (Shaw) Stewart passed away peacefully on April 20th, 2024, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Janet handled her 18-year battle with Alzheimer’s with grace, dignity, and most importantly, with a sense of humor. Her strong faith in God and love from her family sustained her through her difficult times. She embodied her favorite saying, “Growing old is not for sissies.”

Janet was born on June 19th, 1937 in Chauncey, Ohio, to Ralph and Frances Shaw. Her brother, Jimmy, and sister, Mary Jane (Jane), were so very dear to her. She and Jane were lifelong close friends who both later pursued a love of art and music and boy, did Janet LOVE music! As soon as she heard a beat, her toes would start tapping, her hands would start clapping, and up she’d be, ready to dance! Janet was a member of Athena Arts Club, Spectrum, Toledo Hospital Auxiliary, and was a 30-year volunteer for Mobile Meals. She and Bill were longtime members of Epworth United Methodist church.

Janet attended Ohio University but transferred to Miami University to be with the love of her life, Bill Stewart. They married in 1959 and moved to Philadelphia. After moving, Janet taught kindergarten. She and Bill then started their family, and Janet became a full-time and devoted wife, mom and household manager. “Family is everything” was repeated by Janet frequently throughout her life. She was a constant source of stability and light in her family’s lives. She had a rich personality and was full of life, joy and laughter. Janet loved entertaining her many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews by playing Hawaiian tunes on her nose and wiggling her ears. They adored her! Janet was a sweet, gentle soul who enjoyed peaceful, simple things like music, fresh air, sunshine, and her family.

Janet was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Jimmy, her husband Bill, and her daughter Leslie. She is survived by her daughter Linda (Phillip) Dionyssiou, her son Bill (Gail) Stewart, Her sister Jane Walker, her grandchildren James (Tara) and Chris (Aubrey) French, Justin (Amanda), Eric (Krystina), and Dayna (Michael) Dionyssiou, and Will and Fiona Stewart, and many greatgrandchildren, nieces and nephews. Janet was dearly loved by her family and will be greatly missed.

Visitation for Janet will be held Friday, April 26th, from noon until 1:30pm. A short service from 1:30-2:00pm will follow. Internment will be private. The family suggests memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association or Memory Lane Care Services.

The family would like to thank the staff at The Grove for their loving and compassionate care for Janet.