Janet Nufer Umhau

Born in Goldsboro, North Carolina to Lester George Nufer and Ruby Elizabeth Fleet Nufer, Janet was an alumna of Hollins College, the Feagin School of Drama and Radio in New York, and also held a BA Summa Cum Laude (earned in her fifties) from the University of Maryland.

After an acting career in New York that found her on stage with Helen Hayes, Janet came to Washington in 1950, where she played the role of Martha Washington in “Faith of Our Fathers,” a symphonic drama written by Pulitzer Prize-winning dramatist Paul Green. This was the first production held at the Carter Barron Amphitheatre, which was built to house it as part of the sesquicentennial celebration of the founding of the capital city, commissioned by President Harry Truman, upon whom Janet Umhau paid a visit at the White House. Her role in the play also led to an introduction to and, ultimately, a marriage proposal from the man who became her beloved husband whom she prevailed upon, in his role as usher, when she forgot her backstage pass one day.

Their marriage lasted 54 years until John B. Umhau, Jr. predeceased her in 2008. They had three sons, all Eagle Scouts and also physicians like their father. Janet Umhau was celebrated in 1991 as “Maryland Mother of the Year.”

Her career in Washington, DC also included work at WGMS Radio, WRC-TV, and Voice of America.

After leaving her acting and radio career to raise her family, she served in multiple volunteer roles with the Montgomery County Medical Society, the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America, the Citizens Council of the Village of North Chevy Chase, and the Woman’s Club of Chevy Chase (which named her Club Woman of the Year in 2000). She was also a member of the Capital Speakers Club, Columbia Country Club and All Saints Church, Chevy Chase.

An author and painter, she wrote and illustrated numerous magazine articles and two young-adult books, “Potomac Captive, The Adventures of Henry Fleete,” and “Abandoned: the Story of Peter Francisco, Hero of the Revolution.”

She traveled around the world, up to the Arctic Circle and down to Antarctica and many places in between.

She is survived by her sons, Dr. John Umhau (Tricia), Dr. William (Biff) Umhau (Martha), and Dr. Andrew Umhau (Cary); by ten grandchildren, Lila Stiff (John), Carter Umhau, Bennett Umhau, Charlie Umhau, Blaire Umhau, Thomas Umhau, MaryBrooke Burval (Alex), Hannah Umhau, Sarah Wood Umhau and Lydia Fleete Umhau; and by four great-grandchildren, Dorothy, Eleanor, Salome and Cassian Stiff. She was the sister of Dr. William Leonard Nufer of Danville and Virginia Beach, Virginia, who predeceased her by a number of years.

Visitation with the family 10 a.m., funeral service 11 a.m., Friday, December 2 at All Saints Church, Chevy Chase, Maryland. Reception to follow. Private interment.

Donations in her honor may be made to All Saints Church for community outreach or to the Salvation Army