Janet Mae Harrier

Janet Mae Harrier VIRGINIA BEACH - Janet Mae Harrier died March 4, 2009, in her home. Janet was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She was 91. Born July 1, 1917, in Allemansville, Pa., where she grew up and was educated, Janet was the fifth of eight children born to John Martin Fox and Margaret Aiken Fox. She was predeceased by all of her seven siblings. In 1941, she married Albert Boyd Harrier, a native of Tyrone, Pa. They relocated to the Tidewater region during his service in the U.S. Coast Guard and remained in Virginia Beach after World War II as he pursued a career as a radio and television broadcaster and producer with WGH, WTAR and WHRO. Janet worked in the Virginia Beach City public schools for 17 years as a cafeteria manager. She worked at Linkhorn Park Elementary, Hermitage Elementary, Virginia Beach Junior High and Kempsville Junior High. She retired in 1977. Always eager to stay busy, Janet cared for preschoolers in her home following her retirement. Her happiest days were those she spent as "Nana," and she was always Nana - to her own grandchildren and to the many Beach children she cared for over the years. Janet loved working in her yard, cooking and reading. She was a caring, kind individual and she encouraged and helped others every day. She was a member of Lynnhaven United Methodist Church, the Nell Melvin Circle, the International Sunday School Class and the Oldies But Goodies senior organization at the church. She is survived by her two daughters, Marsha Harrier Henry and Amy Harrier Hathaway and their husbands, Mike Henry and Pete Hathaway, all of Virginia Beach. She is also survived by her six grandchildren, David M. Henry, Adam P. Henry, Melissa F. Henry, Tyler T. Henry and his wife Amy E. Mendenhall, Blake H. Hathaway and Chase P. Hathaway; as well as several nieces and nephews. Our family would like to thank Clarissa and Jeannie Rogers for the love and devotion they have demonstrated during Janet's illness. We would also like to offer our sincere appreciation to Dr. Tom Jones for his care to our mother throughout the years and especially during these final difficult months. Visitation will be held today from 7 until 8:30 p.m. at Altmeyer's Funeral Home, Maestas Chapel, 1801 Baltic Ave., Virginia Beach. A celebration of her life will be held at Lynnhaven United Methodist Church, 1033 Little Neck Road, Virginia Beach, Saturday at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Leonard Strelitz Diabetes Institutes, 855 West Brambleton Ave., Norfolk, VA 23501, Sentara Hospice or your favorite charity in Janet's memory.