Janet Faith Keefer Wurmstich

Janet Faith Keefer Wurmstich

AGE: 87 • Denville

Janet Faith Keefer Wurmstich died peacefully on Monday, Aug. 13, 2012 in her residence at Franciscan Oaks in Denville, NJ. She was 87 years old. She was born in New York City on March 16, 1925 to parents Marion and Ralph Keefer. Ralph's work with ITT required numerous moves including Cuba, Rhode Island, Maine, Wash. DC/Virginia, and New Jersey. Janet graduated from high school in Asbury Park and from Mary Washington College in Virginia, majoring in Psychology. Pursuing her love of children and desire to help others, she became a social worker for the State of New Jersey. At that time, she was living with her parents in Mountain Lakes, NJ, where she met Arthur "Bud" Wurmstich. They married in 1948 at The Community Church and built their house on Pollard Road. They lived there for 35 years and raised their four children. Janet was a devoted mother, wife and community member. She was active at The Community Church, including teaching Sunday School classes. She was a member of The Republican Club and relished her duties at the polls on Election Day. She taught tap dancing, volunteered for numerous events at the town's schools, and loved her Women's Bowling League at the Mountain Lakes Club. Janet was also an avid fan at her children's scholastic and extracurricular activities, and thus spent countless hours in the Mountain Lakes High School gym. The GAA Show, choir concerts and basketball season were among her favorites. Known for her kindness, generosity, and ease of conversation, Janet was a selfless person who won the hearts of all who knew her. She was incredibly beautiful —inside and out. A thoughtful and gracious hostess, entertaining traditions such as her annual Christmas Party (featuring "Bud's Punch") and the Summer Fish Dinner were cherished by family and friends. In 1983, Janet and Bud retired to Virginia Beach. She attended exercise class, volunteered at the hospital, embraced her artistic heritage through her oil painting, and perfected her role as Grandmother Extraordinaire. She took full advantage of her free time and traveled extensively with her husband and her friends. After Bud's death in 2001, Janet moved back to New Jersey, into Franciscan Oaks, and delighted in reconnecting with old friends and with her church. Her charm and kindness facilitated this transition and new friendships added richness and support to her life.

Janet was predeceased by her husband, Bud and her daughter, Susan Jane Wurmstich. She is survived by daughter, (Wendy) Lee Clymer and son-in-law Jim; daughter, Cathy Schmermund; son, Gordon Wurmstich and daughter-in-law Tracey, and a cousin, Sherry Keefer Langner of California. "Grandma Janet" dearly loved the lights of her life: Keefer Lehner, William Lehner, Sarah Schmermund, Carly Schmermund, Cole Wurmstich, Keefer Wurmstich, and Emma Wurmstich.

A celebration of her life will be held Monday, August 27 at 11 am at The Community Church, 46 Briarcliff Rd., Mountain Lakes, New Jersey. Please honor Janet's wishes by wearing brightly colored attire rather than the customary black. To pay tribute to her compassion and the joy she found in children, in lieu of flowers, friends are invited to make a donation in her name to Operation Smile: 1.888.377.2280 or operationsmile.org. Your full donation is used to send doctors and nurses to impoverished countries in order to repair severe childhood facial deformities. Janet would be delighted to know she continues to bring smiles to children's faces.