Janet Susan Schmeltz, age 64, of Bowling Green, Ohio, passed away, Friday, February 2, 2018 in Bowling Green, Ohio with her loving family by her side.
Janet was born on September 14, 1953 in Toledo, Ohio to the late John and Mary (Carpenean) Drogomir. Following her graduation from Bowsher High School and Bowling Green State University, Janet began teaching in Bryan, Ohio at the first-grade level. She moved back to the Toledo area and taught Kindergarten at Lark Elementary for most of the remainder of her teaching career (a total of 35 years). She loved children and teaching was a true passion.
This passion was curtailed twice in 1984, when Janet developed primary breast cancers, and again when they metastasized to her lung in 1986. She went through a clinical at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, receiving extremely high doses of chemotherapy, which allowed her to remain cancer free until 1994. At that time, a new primary breast tumor was discovered, with doctors declaring her cured from stage 4 cancer and re-staged as stage 1.
Traveling was a great love for Janet. She enjoyed the National Parks, especially cross-country skiing Yellowstone in the winter. River rafting the Grand Canyon was another favorite trip. She and her husband enjoyed Jasper and Lake Louise, as well as many overseas trips. At home, she cuddled with her cats, gardened, solved cross-word puzzles and sewed crafts and clothing for her great grand-nieces and nephews.
Janet volunteered in many ways for the support of those battling breast cancer. She worked for the “Look Good, Feel Better” program, spoke on panels, co-facilitated the Y&B support group, helped the “Race for the Cure”, as well as her own family members who tested positive for BRAC 1&2 genes. In January of 2016, Janet was diagnosed with bladder cancer and in investigating that disease, a tumor in her pancreas was found.
Janet is survived by her husband: Patrick; a sister: Christine (Frank) Dupuis; nieces: Genny (Brian) and Nikki (Collin) along with loving grand nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service for Janet will be held on Saturday, February 10, 2018 at 4:00 PM in the Peace Lutheran Church, 1021 West Wooster Street, Bowling Green, Ohio. Arrangements have been entrusted with the DECK-HANNEMAN FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, 1460 W. Wooster Street/P.O. Box 648, Bowling Green, Ohio 43402, Tele: 419-352-2171.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Janet’s honor may be gifted to either the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, The Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center, University of Michigan Cancer Center or to St. Jude’s Hospital.
The Deck-Hanneman Funeral Home has been honored with the entrustment of Janet’s Care and encourage family and friends to share on-line condolences and fond memories with Janet’s family at www.hannemanfh.com.
