Janet was many things to many people, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, friend, confidante, drinking buddy, troublemaker, and unindicted co-conspirator. Here is where you can find stories, videos, and pictures related to Janet’s life. And if you’re so moved, you can add your own (click on the COMMENTS link below (for the "Comment as: Select Profile Box", you can select "Anonymous")). Or if that frightens you, send any material you would like added to memories@JanetJohnsonPorter.com.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
We are very lucky to have a piece of Grandma Janet in us. I love her so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDelete-Elizabeth (granddaughter)
she meant a lot to us and we will miss her so much.. she was kind and loving and she was just amazing
ReplyDelete-emily (granddaughter)
Aunt Janet will always be remembered for her laughter and her amazing sence of humor. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you all on the 19th and each and every day. God's blessings to you.
ReplyDeleteDearest Aunt Janet was a great cook - known for always willing to try a new recipe and sharing it with others! Of her many famous food gifts at the Syndegaard family reunions - burnt brown & serve rolls, orange slices, and celery sticks with nothing in them! She had so many food surprises that were always garnished with laughter instead of parsley!
ReplyDeleteHugs and love at this time for all! Susan H.
I remember riding home from a family reunion when I was a little kid, trying to sort out which relative was which. Identifying Aunt Janet was pretty easy: she was the one that I thought laughed the best.
ReplyDeleteI really cannot believe she is gone. How can anyone that alive not be with us any longer? I refuse to believe it. I know that I will show up at Todd & Susan's house one holiday and she will be there, getting in Todd's way in the kitchen. I just know it. No way, not Janet. With that great laugh of hers spurring us all on to laugh at someone being utterly too serious.
ReplyDeleteWill miss her greatly....
Jean
A little known fact about Janet in her younger years. Many of the younger generation cannot remember the old "drive in restaurants" brought the order to you car by the waiters who brought your order on their roller skates. As I remember it Janet had that job in Waterloo and I think she stayed at the Porters. I'm sure that contributed to Janet and Bob becoming more aquainted. I know that she had a lot of fun that summer.
ReplyDeleteDear Bob and family,
ReplyDeleteThis world has lost a unique soul, a raucous laugh, a gracious hostess, a woman of physical beauty and great style, and so much more as mother, wife, sister, friend, co-worker. I and so many others hold you in our thoughts and prayers, even as we struggle with the disbelief that Jan is no longer a part of this place.
We were certainly surprised and saddened
ReplyDeleteto learn about the loss of our neighbor, Janet Porter. Our cul-de-sac has lost a warm and loving woman. We first met Jan and Bob at a United Way event, and it was always her smile and laughter that stayed with us. Through Bob we learned about her lingering illness, but she never displayed her daily challenges in public. We extend warm wishes of healing to Bob and the Porter family. May all of you find lasting comfort in the memories you now share. Phil & Donna Matteson (Neighbors)
Every time I would tell someone at work that my in-laws were coming for this or that holiday, the normal reaction would be a groan of sympathy. To which I invariably responded that they were wrong--that I was the most fortunate of daughters-in-law. Janet was so gracious, she was even a wonderful hostess away from home. She never came to our house without bringing a feast or several. And not once did she say or do anything that might make me feel inadequate for my lack of ability to do it myself. We genuinely loved having Bob and Jan (and everyone else!) with us and we were always sad that they had to go home.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful, courageous, incredible woman. We are so sad she had to go home.
I was thinking as I drove today about the things I remember about Aunt Janet--the time when I was in first grade, Sara had just been born and aunt Janet came and helped after school --she rode the bus home with me but one day she wasn't there--no one had told me about Cattle Congress Day that all the big kids got to go to but not the little kids. Or even earlier in my life when I was riding behind her on her bike and we rode down the driveway to see Shirley Chritensen who lived across the road--I was supposed to keep my feet out from the wheels but--I didn't and one foot got caught in the spokes. It took the two of them a while to get my foot unstuck--and I vaguely remember that I wasn't supposed to tell anybody what had happened--opps just messed that up. I remember getting to be the candle lighter in her wedding. I remember visitng at Pamel Court and Hawthorne Village at Iowa State. I remember the shower that she gave for me before I got married. And so many other things. I will miss her. Mary Kay (niece)
ReplyDeleteMy office was located in the Hays Center for 6 years. During that time I had the honor of getting to know Janet. Her booming laughter would ring through out the building. I now teach in recreation at a university. I still tell stories about some of the programs Janet would have the seniors do. Who knew that when the Mayflower moving truck was in the parking lot, that Janet was hosting some type of moving dining experience. I remember Bald is Beautiful and the Pickle Celebration. Janet will be missed by all of us that knew her.
ReplyDeleteWas it really 55 years ago that Janet and I met at Grand View and became roommates and lifelong friends? It was only that one year that we had to bond and yet our love for one another lasted a lifetime. I loved her wedding and was honored to stand beside her...she looked so beautiful and was so happy. As I look back, we didn't spend much time with one another after marriage. We were both so busy raising families and then raising grandbabies. But it was like magic when we talked or did get away together and we both became 18 again, telling our secrets, laughing and sharing our lives...oh, and did I mention shopping? For my 64th birthday, she gave me a gift certificate for $64 to our favorite store, Chico's...that was the kind of thing she liked to do. I loved her wit and her quiet wisdom and admired her independent spirit. I have cried everyday this week at my loss. I think that she handled her dying better than I..she was a strong woman. I will be thinking of the family and Janet at the memorial service this week when they gather to celebrate the special person that she was. I loved her so!
ReplyDeleteWe've all lost a wonderful woman - I appreciate hearing all the fond remembrances of a wonderful woman. The week she died I found a letter that she kept handy in her bedroom drawer dated 1949 from her grandmother - praising her for being the only girl at the Iowa State Fair to win 2 blue ribbons for her bread making - both white and wheat, when she was 13 years old. The handwriting was nearly identical to her own. I thought of all the wonderful special things she's done for all her grandchildren, and particularly my 13 year old. Her rallying the strength to come to Chicago to witness her 13 year old granddaughter's black belt test - in spite of the illness - never complaining - always encouraging. And her praising my daughter's accomplishment and ignoring her own pain. - This all helps me realize that the circle of life goes on and on, and how lucky we all were to have her in our lives. - Seri Porter
ReplyDeleteAunt Janet's laugh, I have always remembered from child to adult. Her head back chin in, small start and then the deep bellowing. When we went to visit Janet's and her family, I always waited for that time that someone made her laugh and watched and watched until it came out. Linda Johnson Griffin
ReplyDeleteAs we are getting ready to fly to Champaign tomorrow, there are so many good memories we have of our visits with Jan and Bob and of their travels to California.
ReplyDeleteBut one especially fond recollection happened 50 years ago when Jan put together a family cookbook and gave it to me for a shower gift. I am still using many of those "gems" and each time can think of Jan when I read her name at the bottom of the recipe.
I was so blessed to marry into a family with so many sisters; she was always so special to everyone. Her infectious laugh will be missed!
Betty (Sister-in-law)
ReplyDeleteAs we prepare today to fly back to Champaign there are so many memories which flood my mind of our many visits to see Jan and Bob and of their trips to our home in California.
But one recollection is now more profound for me as I recall over 50 years ago that Janet compiled a cookbook of family recipes for our wedding shower. They have been with me all of these years and I have often been able to remember Jan after finishing a recipe and seeing her name written at the bottom. What a wonderful legacy by which to remember her.
That and her infectious laugh...I can just see her looking down on us, laughing and saying "I beat them to this wonderful place!"
She left many good memories!
Todd:
ReplyDeleteYou, your mother, and your entire family are in my thoughts and prayers. Having perused the memorial website, I know that your mom was a wonderful person. Take care.
Being one of Todd's bi-coastal friends, I only had the pleasure of meeting Janet once. From that visit and by reading this site, though, a couple of things are clear to me. One - as Todd and I have long suspected, in the end the love you take is equal to the love you make. And, Two - Janet was centrally responsible for the Midwestern charm, contagious sense of humor, and gracious loyalty of Todd and his siblings.
ReplyDeleteMy deepest condolences to you all.
- Dean Andrews
Todd and family, just want to let you know that I am so sorry for your loss. Looking through the pictures and the comments on this site have given me an idea of what a fantastic lady she was. I am sure she was very proud of your family and of the person you have become. I look forward to your next visit to Alma and would love to hear more about your mom and her celebration of life. With love, Carmen and family
ReplyDeleteJanet was such a loving and fun woman, always made me fell special and loved--from the very first time I met her--It also helped a lot to know she truly loved my daughter--and that my daughter had such a loving and caring "second mother"..I will miss her jolly laughter and her loving concern for those that I also love..I know my grandchildren will do well to emulate their precious grandma Janet...
ReplyDeleteBarbara Madison
Remembering Janet today on the anniversary of her passing..still with tears in my eyes! Her memory is still strong and I miss her!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cory
ReplyDelete