Karen Emily Devine Janney

1939 - 2023

Karen Emily Devine Janney, age 84, of Devon / Newtown Square, passed away on October 1, 2023 after a courageous battle with Dementia. Karen was born on June 23, 1939 to Doris Coady Devine and Walter Joseph Devine Jr. in Philadelphia. After graduating from Radnor High School in 1957, she went on to study Art History, receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Skidmore College in 1961. After graduation, Karen worked in the back office of a Philadelphia brokerage firm. In 1966, she married Walter Coggeshall Janney III. They welcomed their only child, Katherine E. Janney-Hermans (Kate) in 1968. Karen was a fiercely dedicated mother and a role model single parent after divorcing in 1978. Karen went back to work, joining her father, Walter J. Devine Jr. and sister, Doris D. Elwell, at the family firm (Walter J. Devine Jr. and Company) on the Philadelphia Stock Exchange (PHLX). She became an Odd Lot Dealer Specialist and joint partner in the firm with her sister. Together, Karen and her sister were the first and only female-led Specialist firm on PHLX. After retiring in 1998, Karen leaned into her passions for art and gardening, volunteering at the Philadelphia Art Museum and working at Waterloo Gardens. Her other passions were for traveling and family. Karen's home was one full of warmth and kindness. Karen was an excellent mom, loving sister, and "Granny Extraordinaire." She was smart, strong, kind, and witty - with a delicious laugh and twinkle in her eye. The void left in our hearts by her departure will be impossible to fill! Karen was predeceased by her parents, and she is survived by her best friend and sister, Doris, adored brother-in-law John Elwell, beloved daughter Kate and son-in-law Paul Hermans, and her treasured grandchildren, Emalie and Benjamin Hermans. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Karen's name to the Brandywine River Art Museum, Alzheimer's Association or Women's Resource Center. There will be a memorial service on October 23, 2023 at 11:00 am at St. David's Episcopal Church, 763 S Valley Forge Rd, Wayne, PA 19087. A celebration of Karen's life will follow. STUARD NEWTOWN SQUARE A FAMILY TRADITION SINCE 1822