I'm very saddened by Janet's passing... I spoke with her about a month ago and she was doing poorly... I'm reminded of an Ambrose Bierce story where you look in the mirror and see someone else-- Janet.
Janet and I used to get kicked out of class for disrupting everyone and we were kind of proud of that? I'll miss her...😢
Ellen and I last saw Janet a couple of summers ago at The Lake Pointe Inn at McHenry, Maryland. What a surprise to hear a familiar voice; it turns out that we had the same favorite bed and breakfast. We had a pleasant conversation, catching up on the several years since the 50th reunion. I have fond memories of Janet's brilliance in WWHS science and math classes.
Janet was one of the few people from Whitman with whom I remained in contact over the years. We met and became friends at T. W. Pyle Junior High School. We were two female math and science nerds who hung out together. After her family, Janet’s passions in adulthood were birds and the right to vote. She ran the Audubon Christmas Bird Count in her area for many years. Despite her poor health, she went outside one year when there were 12 inches of snow on the ground to count birds. Janet supported voting rights through her membership in the League of Women Voters and by serving on the Maryland Board of Elections. Although we talked only every two or three months, I will miss her greatly.
I am so sorry to hear about Janet's passing. My father was a linguist and always said she had the best enunciation! I remember her as a kind and very thoughtful person.
It is hard to believe that slighly more than 6 full months have passed since Janet passed away on April 19, 2024. I am finally writing a few thoughts—much delayed, but better later than never and perhaps posting something now will again induce some to think about her now. Janet was an incredibly special person. I met her at age 6 when our families moved into the same neighborhood near Burning Tree Elementary School. As most who knew her quickly became aware, she was intellectually extremely gifted, with a remarkable expansive vocabulary as well as high level mathematical and scientific acumen. In addition, she was a truly kind and caring person. We went to the Pyle Junior HS prom together and were lifelong friends, although not in as frequent contact as I would have liked, but work, family, and other things competed for that all-too-limited precious commodity called time. Janet had a couple of significant illnesses with which she bravely coped with overall optimism for years, continuing to be active and to serve with a passion. Over the years, she served as President of the Maryland Ornithological Society, was extensively involved with the League of Women Voters, and proudly served as a Board Member of the Maryland State Board of Elections. Judaism and Israel were important to Janet, and of course family came first—especially husband Herb and son David. Our class was filled with an enormous number of extremely special individuals with broad ranges of talents, but I believe Janet is one who stood out. It was an honor and pleasure to know her and to be enriched by her for so many years. At shiva at her home after the funeral, it was clear that she touched an enormous number of individuals from many different aspects of life. May her memory be for a blessing.
I'm not sure I commented on Janet at the time of her death--maybe I just did it in my mind--but I do recall how very smart she was, and how I often noticed her in the halls, bustling around with a stack of books and a look of intense concentration on her face. We reconnected several (or many? not sure!) years ago when her son prepared to come to Mississippi to work for Teach for America, an extremely important project that has helped many Mississippi school kids. She didnt say she was worried about him going to the delta, but I'm sure she was, and we talked it over and I gave her some contacts--TFA and otherwise-- for him. I hope it all worked out. But it was nice to get to know Janet a little more as a dedicated and progressive mom. I'm sure her family celebrates that about her. R.I.P.
I wanted to let you know that your posts about Janet are appreciated. I have been sharing them with her brother, Michael Millenson. We live a few blocks from each other in Highland Park, Illinois and attend the same synagogue. I enjoyed reconnecting with Janet a number of years ago when her niece or nephew (can't remember which one) had a Bat or Bar Mitzvah. She looked the same to me and it was fun to talk with her. Please feel free to post any additional thoughts and I will share them with Michael. He really appreciates your comments.
Ona Gelman (Bunce)
I'm very saddened by Janet's passing... I spoke with her about a month ago and she was doing poorly... I'm reminded of an Ambrose Bierce story where you look in the mirror and see someone else-- Janet.
Janet and I used to get kicked out of class for disrupting everyone and we were kind of proud of that? I'll miss her...😢
Geoffrey Bryan
Sad news indeed.
Dean L Osgood
I don't have any words. So difficult for her family, just at the start of Passover. May memories of her be a blessing and provide comfort..
Robert L. Peskin
Ellen and I last saw Janet a couple of summers ago at The Lake Pointe Inn at McHenry, Maryland. What a surprise to hear a familiar voice; it turns out that we had the same favorite bed and breakfast. We had a pleasant conversation, catching up on the several years since the 50th reunion. I have fond memories of Janet's brilliance in WWHS science and math classes.
Marian Greenspan
Janet was one of the few people from Whitman with whom I remained in contact over the years. We met and became friends at T. W. Pyle Junior High School. We were two female math and science nerds who hung out together. After her family, Janet’s passions in adulthood were birds and the right to vote. She ran the Audubon Christmas Bird Count in her area for many years. Despite her poor health, she went outside one year when there were 12 inches of snow on the ground to count birds. Janet supported voting rights through her membership in the League of Women Voters and by serving on the Maryland Board of Elections. Although we talked only every two or three months, I will miss her greatly.
Faith Lee (Breen)
I am so sorry to hear about Janet's passing. My father was a linguist and always said she had the best enunciation! I remember her as a kind and very thoughtful person.
Faith
Warren J. Leonard
It is hard to believe that slighly more than 6 full months have passed since Janet passed away on April 19, 2024. I am finally writing a few thoughts—much delayed, but better later than never and perhaps posting something now will again induce some to think about her now. Janet was an incredibly special person. I met her at age 6 when our families moved into the same neighborhood near Burning Tree Elementary School. As most who knew her quickly became aware, she was intellectually extremely gifted, with a remarkable expansive vocabulary as well as high level mathematical and scientific acumen. In addition, she was a truly kind and caring person. We went to the Pyle Junior HS prom together and were lifelong friends, although not in as frequent contact as I would have liked, but work, family, and other things competed for that all-too-limited precious commodity called time. Janet had a couple of significant illnesses with which she bravely coped with overall optimism for years, continuing to be active and to serve with a passion. Over the years, she served as President of the Maryland Ornithological Society, was extensively involved with the League of Women Voters, and proudly served as a Board Member of the Maryland State Board of Elections. Judaism and Israel were important to Janet, and of course family came first—especially husband Herb and son David. Our class was filled with an enormous number of extremely special individuals with broad ranges of talents, but I believe Janet is one who stood out. It was an honor and pleasure to know her and to be enriched by her for so many years. At shiva at her home after the funeral, it was clear that she touched an enormous number of individuals from many different aspects of life. May her memory be for a blessing.
Marian Greenspan
Thank you Warren for posting your memories of Janet. I continue to miss her and think about her.
Lisa Johnston (Howorth (Class President))
I'm not sure I commented on Janet at the time of her death--maybe I just did it in my mind--but I do recall how very smart she was, and how I often noticed her in the halls, bustling around with a stack of books and a look of intense concentration on her face. We reconnected several (or many? not sure!) years ago when her son prepared to come to Mississippi to work for Teach for America, an extremely important project that has helped many Mississippi school kids. She didnt say she was worried about him going to the delta, but I'm sure she was, and we talked it over and I gave her some contacts--TFA and otherwise-- for him. I hope it all worked out. But it was nice to get to know Janet a little more as a dedicated and progressive mom. I'm sure her family celebrates that about her. R.I.P.
Lois Lourie
I wanted to let you know that your posts about Janet are appreciated. I have been sharing them with her brother, Michael Millenson. We live a few blocks from each other in Highland Park, Illinois and attend the same synagogue. I enjoyed reconnecting with Janet a number of years ago when her niece or nephew (can't remember which one) had a Bat or Bar Mitzvah. She looked the same to me and it was fun to talk with her. Please feel free to post any additional thoughts and I will share them with Michael. He really appreciates your comments.