Janet H. McCartney COULON

Janet H. McCartney COULON Janet Holmes McCartney was born October 10, 1928 in Seattle Washington and passed away May 12, 2011 in Renton, Washington. She was preceded in death by her parents Florence Ada Holmes and David James McCartney, her husband Gene in 1977, her elder sister Florence Schneider and nephew Scott. Janet and her sister were raised by their father, as their mother unexpectedly passed away from pneumonia when Janet was two. They lived in Seattle where Janet graduated from West Seattle High School in 1946. Following high school Janet attended the University of Washington where she pledged the Alpha Chi Omega Sorority in 1947. Although living off campus, she was active in the sorority where she was a candidate for the 'Sweetheart of Sigma Chi' and 'May Queen.' Her early career included working for the Renton Chamber of Commerce and the Boeing Company. She met her future husband, Gene while working for the Chamber. They married in 1950 and lived in Renton until moving in 1955 to Lake Retreat where they built their home and raised their family. Janet was a loving and devoted wife and mother. She was very active in advancing learning and education and helped promote the first kindergarten class in the Tahoma School District in 1960. She continued her on-going commitment to supporting education through her active participation in the PTA, where she also served as president. She supported her children in education, athletics and extra-curricular activities throughout their school careers and fostered a sense of adventure and a zest for life. She returned to work in Administration when Green River Community College first opened its doors in 1965. After nearly eight years she accepted a position as the Secretary to the Director of Nursing at Valley Medical Center, where she retired in 1985. Always dedicated to family, 'retirement' meant active involvement in her grandchildren's lives where she was their mentor, friend, child-care provider, chauffer, cook, tutor, sewing instructor, nurse, sports spectator, video gamer and life coach. Janet was an incredibly giving person and she will be terribly missed. She is survived by her two daughters, Leslie Betlach and Michelle Rasmussen and her husband Terry, and four grandchildren, Brandon Betlach (Marie), Jessica Betlach, Gabe Rasmussen and Heidi Carlson (Michael) and one great-grandchild, Ethan Carlson. Also surviving is one step-daughter Diane Johnson and her husband Max, and two grandchildren, Tracy Young (Tyson) and Cory Schaller (Paul) and three great-grandchildren, Colby and Shelby Young and Max Schaller. Many beloved nieces and nephew also survive her. Remembrances in Janet's honor may be made to the Salvation Army Renton Rotary Food Bank, 206 S. Tobin Street, Renton, WA 98057 or the Maple Valley Food Bank, PO Box 322, Maple Valley, WA 98038.