Janet Lee McIntire

Throughout her life Janet left her unique impression on countless lives in many capacities. She was a daughter, a sister, a foster daughter, a foster sister, a half-sister, a niece, an aunt, a cherished friend, a cheerful coworker, a den mother, a girl scout leader, a loving wife, and a mother-in-law, but the two roles in life that brought her the greatest joy were mom and grandma.

Janet met her future husband Mark in their mutual workplace in 1978 when they were both just 17 years old. Knowing even then that they were destined to spend the rest of their lives together, they entered into marriage at Millian Memorial United Methodist Church in Wheaton, MD on May 31st, 1980, and were inseparable through 44 years of marriage. Together they had five wonderful children: John, Matthew, Margaret, Aileen, and Erin.

Janet was a voracious reader of both fiction and non-fiction (how-to), but the works that most captivated her imagination were J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy and J.K. Rowlings’ Harry Potter novels (she was a Slytherin). She was also an unapologetic Trekkie long before it was considered cool, being an early and avid fan of Star Trek the original series, the original cast movies, and to a lesser extent Star Trek the Next Generation.

Janet adored making things with her hands and put love, energy, and passion into her creations. Her widely varied hobbies included cooking, sewing, quilting, knitting, crocheting, costume making, leatherwork, cosplay, gardening, and online gaming. She also loved to travel. Her favorite destinations were Florida, especially Disney World and Universal Studios Florida (Wizarding World of Harry Potter), England, Paris, and wherever her grandchildren were.

Janet loved all kinds of animals, as evidenced by the many and varied pets she kept over the years. Starting with her rambunctious dalmatian Brody as a teenager and her beloved chihuahua Sugar Bear shortly after her wedding, she kept a long string of dogs, cats, birds, backyard chickens, and even a Texas shorthorn steer and leaves behind two rescue kitties.

Janet’s journey in life took her from the city to the farm, to the suburbs, to Europe and back before finally settling in Martinez, GA. She left a big piece of her heart on the farm where she developed deep, enduring friendships and had some of her happiest memories. Her plan for retirement was to return to the land as a homesteader, a long-time dream she pushed aside when she became an Army wife, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with her husband through his 25-year military career.

Janet was preceded in death by her father, Alfred Canevari of Dublin, VA, her foster father, Bernard Schwartz of Perry Hall, MD, and her half-sister Pamela (Canevari) Davis of Dublin, VA.

She is survived by her husband Mark McIntire of Martinez, GA; mother Gloria Holley of Waynesboro, GA; foster mother Carrie Perkins of Pylesville, MD; brother Robert (Bob) Canevari of Daytona, FL; sister Donna Meyer of Waynesboro, GA; foster sister and lifelong best friend Sandra (Sandy) Donovan of Port Charlotte, FL; foster brother Billy Schwartz of Airville, PA; foster brother Bernard (Bernie) Schwartz of Pylesville, MD; half-brother Thomas (Tony) Canevari of Newport News, VA; half-brother Robert (Bob) Canevari of Riner, VA; son John McIntire and daughter-in-law Charlotte McIntire of Barnsley, South Yorkshire, UK; son Matthew McIntire and daughter-in-law Tashia McIntire of Martinez, GA; daughter Margaret Maggitti and son-in-law Andrew Maggitti of Rehoboth Beach, DE; daughter Aileen McIntire of Martinez, GA; daughter Erin Kelly and son-in-law Andrew Kelly of Martinez, GA; and five beautiful grandchildren—Andrew (AJ) Maggitti, Catarina Maggitti, Giovanni Maggitti, Miles McIntire, and Luca Maggitti.

She touched all our lives with love and leaves us with a bottomless well of tears.

Memorial arrangements will be announced later.