Janet Irene Smith

Janet Irene Smith, passed away peacefully on September 26, 2022, surrounded by loved ones. As a Christian, her life of witness impacted many, and she is at home with her LORD. Janet was born on February 26, 1952, in Mason, to Harry J. and Phyllis E. (Bushnell) Smith. She is survived by her sister Marcella Smith, of New York City, and several dear cousins. She lived nearly her entire life in Mason, and attended Mason Schools, graduating in 1970.

She attended Hope College, and later Michigan State University, earning a degree in Early Childhood Education. She also did post graduate work at MSU. She began her teaching career with Head Start in the greater Lansing area and became employed by Holt Public Schools with a lengthy and rewarding teaching career. She retired in June - 2018 and returned to help her beloved school family at Wilcox Elementary, volunteering, and as a sought-after substitute teacher. Janet treasured her students, and her colleagues beyond measure.

Janet was raised up by her parents in the First Baptist Church [Mason Community Church] and was baptized, and active there for decades. She also attended University Baptist Church of East Lansing, and most recently, was a member at River Terrace Church in East Lansing. She used her gifts and talents working with children and youth, in music, in missions, in leadership, and in the pursuits of faith building and fellowship for her entire life. She loved being with people she loved, reading, music, Scrabble, the color purple, and had a soft spot for owls. Over her life she also enjoyed flying (her dad, a small airplane pilot), travel, walking, cooking, nature, puzzles and games of all kinds, a good or bad pun, and scratching the ears of a good dog. She was an avid and loyal MSU Women’s Basketball fan – GO GREEN! GO WHITE! She attended home games, (and an occasional road trip) with her dearest friends.

Janet was a fun, caring, and thoughtful person, and not surprisingly, she had countless friendships spanning her life, including many close second-generation friends. She holds the title “Auntie Janet” to many little ones and is beloved. Those life friendships began in the church nursery, in her special neighborhood, on the playgrounds of Mason as a schoolgirl, on the playground and in the halls at Wilcox School with her teaching buddies, on Beaver Island, and across the Mackinaw Bridge. They continued to Maine, the Colorado Rockies, and the beaches and sights of Florida. The mere mention of a friend’s name would cause her to break into a sweet and most memorable smile. Love and laughter, her numerous dear friends, you know who you are.

In lieu of flowers, gifts in her memory are suggested to the following: Mason College Club; send checks payable to Mason College Club, c/o Linda Schroeder 712 S. McRoberts, Mason MI 48854. (Janet Smith, on memo line).Greater Lansing Youth for Christ; https://lansingyfc.net/Crossroads Farm; https://www.crossroadsfarm.org/ Mason Community Services; https://www.masoncommunityservices.org/

Janet will be intensely missed in the days ahead. As a person who sought to bring kindness to the world around her, be kind to someone, be it a friend or stranger in her memory.

Jeremiah 29:11

Matthew 19:14

A private burial was held.

A Celebration of Life to be held on Saturday, November 12, 2022 - 2:00 pm, at the Mason Community Church, 1000 E Columbia St, Mason, Michigan.

Please visit GR Ball Dunn Chapel to leave a memory or expression of sympathy.