Janet Alice Walsh (Wolf), was born October 13, 1936 in Chicago, Illinois and died Saturday, January 20, 2024 at her home in Essex, Vermont, where she was cared for by her family and a wonderful hospice and care team. She was the oldest of three children of Alice Wolf (Dolan) and Francis Wolf. She grew up in South Bend, Indiana, and was lauded for life for being the winner of the 1949 Indiana State Spelling Bee. Janet married Maurice (Maury) Joseph Walsh of Chicago on April 11, 1959. Janet enjoyed rich relationships with her sisters-in-law, cousins, other family, and a large network of friends. She worked as a medical secretary for orthopedic surgeon Dr. John Gleason for nearly 40 years. She welcomed her son Patrick Maurice Walsh in 1976, and continued to work for Dr. Gleason from home transcribing during prenatal bedrest and while caring for an infant. A lifelong caregiver, she provided care for her mother-in-law and mother until their deaths.

She welcomed her daughter-in-law Rebecca (Becky) Klest into the family in 2003. In 2006, she laid her husband of 47 years to rest, and also welcomed her first grandchild Mary Katherine (Molly/MK). Her second grandchild Bridget (B) followed in 2009.

Janet moved to Vermont in 2011 to be closer to Patrick's family, providing Patrick and Becky with tremendous support in the early years of their careers. To nobody's surprise she quickly forged a strong network of friends, including her beloved book group, numerous friends in her apartment building, and friends who showed her the sights of Vermont. Her grandchildren fondly remember after-school at "Yaya's" apartment, featuring snacks, book reading, and cartoons. Janet celebrated her 75th birthday by bringing her family to Disney World, and her 80th with an elegant dinner party in downtown Chicago. To everyone's surprise but her own, in Vermont she took up painting and produced many beautiful watercolor landscapes. In 2018 & 2019 she lovingly nursed sister Carolyn Kostner and brother-in-law Edward Taggart during their terminal illnesses. She moved into her own suite in Patrick and Becky's new house in rural Essex, Vermont in 2019. Said goodbye to her brother Richard, who passed away in the Philippines in December 2022.

Too early in life, she said goodbye to her dear friend and sister-in-law Mary Katherine (Kay) Walsh Franz and brother-in-law Jim (BJ) Franz. In addition to her small Vermont family, she is survived by sister-in-law Margaret Walsh Oliveri of California, brother-in-law and sister-in-law James (Jim) and Martha Walsh (Rankin) of Wisconsin, and nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews.

She is remembered as a strong, intelligent, organized, caring woman with a mischievous sense of humor and a love for planning any sort of event involving food (always with a seasonal twist and décor), friends, and family.

In lieu of flowers, gifts in Janet's memory may be made to: Vermont Youth Orchestra Association, Davis Studio, or the Chicago Jesuit Academy.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11am on Saturday, February 17, in the Chapel of Saint Michael the Archangel at Saint Michael's College.