Janet McCarver Hagan

Janet McCarver Hagan peacefully passed away on September 1st, 2022, at her home in Dripping Springs, TX, with her family by her side. She was 79 years old and had bravely fought pancreatic cancer for 2 years before passing away. She is missed dearly every day since.

Janet is survived by her devoted husband, Bob Kettlewell, as well as a loving family including her daughter Kaye Bonner and Andy Wood, her granddaughter Heather Bonner, her sister Diane Pruessner and John, their son, Jonathon, as well as Bob’s three daughters, Rhonda Aubin, Regina and Don Smith, Bobbilyn Williams and their families, and many close cousins and lifelong friends who will miss her greatly. “Precious”, her dog, was her constant companion.

Janet is preceded in death by her parents, L.H. and Gladys McCarver, her sister, Inez Hinchcliff and her husband Joe Hinchcliff, not to mention many beloved aunts, uncles and cousins.

To Janet, family was always of the utmost importance, and she always made it a priority to spend holidays with her family, and call or write family members as often as possible. Over the years, she saved hundreds of letters, cards, and photos received from her extensive family. Watching her daughter and granddaughter grow up were also some of her favorite times in life.

Janet was born in San Antonio, TX, to L.H. and Gladys McCarver on October 27, 1942. She grew up in the Hot Wells neighborhood, along with her aunts, uncles and cousins, and always dreamed of going to the prestigious University of Texas at Austin. Janet graduated from Highlands High School in 1960, and after a few years at San Antonio College, her dream came true and she began attending UT Austin. She was extremely intelligent, remained diligent in her studies and received a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education with a minor in English in 1964 from the University of Texas at Austin, which she was extremely proud of. Janet was the first member of her extended family, including parents, sisters, aunts, uncles and cousins, to attend college and receive a degree.

Upon graduation, Janet was a middle school PE teacher in north Texas for several years after getting married and becoming a mother. Janet and her family relocated to the Austin area in 1974, where she spent the rest of her life. Real estate became her passion, and after becoming a broker, she happily spent her time making deals and signing contracts, as well as managing properties. She loved to travel, Las Vegas being one of her favorite destinations, but also visited London, Mexico, Alaska, the Virgin Islands and Yellowstone National Park. Her Aunt Stella, as well as her daughter, Kaye, were her traveling companions on many occasions.

Janet was someone who loved to be outdoors, and she loved sports. In her youth she was a gifted tennis player and ran track. She also loved to swim, golf, play softball, snow ski, hunt and fish as well as her favorite pastime (and business) in her later years which was running cattle ranches. She loved animals, and wanted to be with the dogs and cattle as much as she could. Over the years she had numerous dogs she adored, and once had a favorite cow named “Kuwait” on her ranch in Dripping Springs.

The family would like to give thanks to Enhabit Hospice and especially her nurse Bea, for the care and compassion she showed Janet in her final days. Enhabit’s dedication to their patients is phenomenal. We are so grateful to have had their help and support.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Memorial/Celebration of Life for Janet on Saturday, October 1, 2022, at 3 PM, Cook-Walden Forest Oaks, 6300 W William Cannon Dr, Austin, TX 78749.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Janet’s honor to MD Anderson Cancer Centers. MD Anderson was an instrumental tool in her fight with pancreatic cancer.