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1951
2016
Thering, Janet M. of Grand Rapids Janet Thering was a brilliant humorist and a master of the art of friendship. She enriched the lives of her family and friends with her astonishingly quick wit and her unfailing kindness and generosity. Loyalty and longevity were among Janet's trademarks. She had perfect attendance in school, attended the Womyn's Music Festival every year during its 40 year history, was a founding member of the Grand Rapids Women's Chorus, in which she sang for its first 20 years, and taught physical education and other subjects in the Grand Rapids Pubic School system for 30 years. Janet was a passionate and very capable athlete. Over the years she played basketball, softball, and golf and was a founding member of the Biking Babes cycling group (and held the group's record for flat tires). For the past 15 years she did a fast-paced five-mile walk with a friend every weekday morning (during which they often burst into song, in between greeting "regulars" on their route and solving many local and world problems); she often followed the walk with a workout with another friend. She also loved watching any and all sports on TV. Janet adored her partner of sixteen years, Ruth Allerton, with whom she shared interests and activities ranging from camping and sailing to enjoying movies and plays. Janet was born on September 21, 1951. She graduated from Sacred Heart Academy High School in Mt. Pleasant and Aquinas College in Grand Rapids. Cherishing memories of Janet are her beloved spouse, Ruth; her mother, June (Bragg) Thering of Mt. Pleasant, her siblings Dick (Debbie) Thering of Grand Blanc, Phil Thering of Mt. Pleasant, Barb (Tim) Proos of Bellaire, Jerry (Lynn) Thering of Mt. Pleasant, Jackie (Jeff) Heintz of Mt. Pleasant, Mike (Amy) Thering of Pelham, AL., Bob (Kathy) Thering of Mt. Pleasant, Patty (Brian Malski) Rydahl of Clinton, Twp.; step- children, Heidi Whitley and James Whitley; and grandchildren Stella McDurmon and River Whitley; fifteen nieces and nephews and sixteen great nieces and nephews; and countless friends whose lives she touched deeply. She was preceded in death by her father, Russell; nephew Kevin Rydahl and great nephew Gage Thering; and niece Abby Lynn Thering. Memorial donations may be made to the Grand Rapids Women's Chorus, the Girls Choral Academy, and C-SNIP. Family and friends will gather to honor Janet's memory at Fountain Street Church at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 25.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
I knew Janet from Aquinas College in the seventies. She was clear headed, moral and I loved her as a dear friend. I remember visiting her family home in Mt. Pleasant. That was a big family! I'm sad to hear of her passing and will miss her.
Hurvey Morris
Friend
October 18, 2018
You are missed.
Rhoberta Prosser
January 5, 2017
Janet was so helpful to the GCA in many ways. I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with her and know her.
Julie Morrow
August 24, 2016
A beautiful, warm, brilliant heart has stopped beating. Janet you were a gift to us all.
Chrissy
August 24, 2016
Janet will be missed....what a genuine person and a role model for us all beginning with her best in the world sense of humor. Peace to Ruth, family and friends at this sad time of grieving....and to celebrate a life well lived. Bridget White
Bridget White
August 22, 2016
May you RIP in the arms of the Father cuz.
August 18, 2016
Janet my dear friend. You truly had a heart of gold. I will forever remember your kindness. I only wish I could tell you now how much your friendship meant to me. Rest in Peace my friend.
Mary Brock
August 17, 2016
So sad to hear this. Janet was a long standing friend on Auburn and will be very much missed by all. My condolences to Ruth and family in this time of sadness.
Christian Olsen
August 16, 2016
Janet: I'll miss your smiles and laughs and waving to you from across the street on a regular basis. Such an honor to have known you. Thoughts of my time on Auburn St. will always be with amply populated with memories of such a wonderful neighbor.
Jonathan Guinn
August 16, 2016
Janet will be greatly missed. As her across the street neighbor for over 20 years, I will miss her laughter that we often heard. Much love to Ruth and Family and friends.
Cheryl Blackington
August 16, 2016
I have so many wonderful memories of times shared with Janet! My heartfelt thoughts to her family and huge family of friends.
Suzanne Tauber
August 16, 2016
We were so very sad to learn of Janet's passing. I have such cherished memories of singing in the GRWC with her in the 90s, and what a good friend she was. We also had some great times at MWMF and I loved her stories of the early days there. Her sense of humor was unforgettable, and I valued getting her perspective on a situation - she was patient with me in my exuberant youth! Sandy remembers that Janet was one of the very first people she met when visiting me in GR, and how friendly and fun Janet was. They shared some good laughs together. My heart is so sad to know Janet's bright and lovely spirit is gone from this earth. Sandy and I send our sincere condolences and heaps of love to Ruth and all of Janet's family and friends. May her memory be a blessing.
Ann Rubin
August 14, 2016
Much love and condolences to all of Janet's family and loved ones. I had the privilege of being in the Choir with Janet for many years. She is an amazing spirit, understated humor and the quiet wisdom that kept us all together. I'm very sad about her passing. Much love to all.
Lauran Hardin
August 14, 2016
I'm so sorry for your family and friends. I remember Janet At Sacred Heart, she always seemed like the strongest girl I'd ever met. Too bad cancer took her down! Warmest wishes to all of you, my prayers are with you,
Anne Swift
August 14, 2016
I'd like to convey my heartfelt condolences to Janet's family and loved ones, she will be sadly missed.
Elaine Braun
August 14, 2016
God Bless all the family, Sacred Heart sends another great one to the Lord, may you enter into his welcoming arms.
John Epple
August 14, 2016
We are so sad to learn of Janet's passing. Janet's love of animals inspired all of us to rescue animals. Her gifts of humor, sarcasm and kindness were evident in every conversation. Her outlook on life was contagious and we always felt her 'heavenly presence'. As we age, we look back on the people who gave us their spirits to enjoy here on Earth. Janet was an angel sent by God to bring out the best in each of us. Rest in peace, Janet and keep them smiling in heaven! with love from Martha Boutet and Bonnie Brusk
Martha Boutet
August 13, 2016
Our community has lost one of the kindest and most gracious human beings.
August 13, 2016
I was so sorry to learn of Janet's passing. I graduated with her brother Phil. My condolences to the family.
Sue Harris Moeggenberg
Sue Harris-Moeggenberg
August 13, 2016
Janet, you have always been "one of a kind". We will all miss you.
sue asmussen
Friend
August 13, 2016
Heartbreaking news. So sad you've left us so soon Janet. Heaven's lucky to have you; you'll be getting them into shape in no time. Love and prayers to Ruth and all of Janet's devoted friends and family. We all have a big hole in our heart.
Nancy Leith
August 13, 2016
Janet,
You brightened our lives and lightened our burdens. Your gifts were formidable, and you were generous in sharing them. We will miss you always and forget you never.
Holly and Patti VanScoy and VanDyke
August 13, 2016
From a Fest sister with love.
Michelle
August 13, 2016
We are so grateful for our long friendship with Janet and Ruth, and that we could be there for most of the noontime circles during Janet's last month. Ruthie, we can't imagine your loss, and will keep you close.
Katherine&Nancy Block/Steltmann
August 13, 2016
I had the pleasure of meeting Ruth and Janet via my friend Linell Crampton this past year. While I only saw Janet a few times and was able to golf with her and the other ladies this summer she was so nice and had a wonderful caring heart and good sense of humor. You will be missed by all and may you rest in peace. To Ruth and her family I send prayers for comfort during this difficult time and may you draw on the wonderful memories of a life well lived.
Annette Hineline
August 13, 2016
Janet, it was an honor to know you ... to be part of the pixels of your life story. You are going to be missed more than any of us realize right now. It's hard to believe that you aren't here ... although, knowing you, you will find ways to let us know you're always around in some way! Love you always ...
Kathy Weeks
August 13, 2016
Janet you slipped away from us so suddenly! Thank you for leaving us with many memories to smile about.
Jeanne Welch
August 12, 2016
Janet, you sound like a marvelous woman! God Bless, and RIP. Any friend of AMB is a friend of ours! Our love to all those left behind on your journey, but we will all be together at some point, cerebrating all the best in both lives! Hoyt/Skip & Kathy
August 12, 2016
Deeply saddened by Janet's passing. Truly a kind woman.
Jane Thurman
Friend
August 12, 2016
For Janet, a wonderful neighbor, a great lover of animals, and the most even - keeled person we know.
Ross and Rebecca Middlebrook and May
Friend
August 11, 2016
To my former SHA basketball teammate--may the angels carry you to paradise.
Betsy Pollard Rau
Friend
August 11, 2016
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