Janet Ann Makowski

Janet Ann (Brown) Makowski
Manistee, MI
04/17/2025
Janet Ann (Brown) Makowski, 90, of Manistee, passed away peacefully early Thursday morning, April 17, 2025, at her residence at Maple Ridge Manor.
She was born on April 25, 1934, in Manistee, the daughter of the late Jerome and Regina (Czeszak) Nowak and Charles Orville Brown. She graduated from St. Joseph Catholic High School class of 1952. She married, Lloyd "Big Mak" Makowski, on February 27, 1954, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Manistee. She was a lifetime member of Divine Mercy Parish of Manistee. She was also a member of the Rosary Society since 1960.
Janet was a devote, caring and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. But she was also, a person that could not sit still. So, after starting her family and laying the foundation for our family, she began her working outside the house career at Manistee Credit Bureau. After five years, she decided to move on and began the next phase of her career at the Michigan Department of Social Services (now Michigan Department of Health and Human Services). She retired on June 30, 1994 after 25 years. However, retirement didn't set with her, so her creativity got the best of her and she opened several small businesses. Her first was Slender You Figure Salon in Ludington and then later moved to Manistee. Her next endeavor was the Gourmet Basket & Gift Shop in Downtown Manistee. She made about 25% of the items for the Gift shop herself, from flower arrangements, ceramics and bird houses. The final stage of her career was at Hull's of Manistee where she loved to help people find the perfect outfit. While a quiet woman, her presence and personality always came out when someone entered the store or office that needed help.
Janet loved her garden, going to ceramic classes, playing Bingo, traveling and playing Bunko with "The Gang". She loved traveling with her late husband Lloyd on his many business or Elks bowling trips. But her most memorable were her Vegas trips with "The Gang".
Janet, was preceded in death by her loving husband Lloyd; her father Charles Orville Brown; mother Regina (Czeszak/Brown) Nowak; stepfather Jerome Nowak; sister Jean (Nowak) Bialik; and brother Robert Nowak.
Janet is survived by her four children all of Manistee: Kathleen Makowski, Gary (Ruth) Makowski, Steven (Debbie) Makowski and Lynn (David) Cameron. Her grandchildren: Patrick (Monica) Makowski, Jeremy (Rosie) Makowski, Zachary (Lacey) Makowski, Derek Cameron, Jordan Cameron, Lisa (Brian West) Thompsen, Stephanie Flesher, Jessica (Scott) Thoman, Bradley Flesher, and Brittany (Alex) Fitzgerald. Her eight great-grandchildren: Addalyn and Kinleigh Makowski, Makenzie and Eli Makowski, Natalie, Landon and Dylan Cameron, Kaydence Flesher and Lilly and River Thoman. Plus, numerous nieces and nephews.
Janet's family would like to extend a very special and heartfelt thank you to the staff and especially the care givers at Maple Ridge Manor. The care, love, compassion and support you gave and showed her every day over the past year was so special to her. Thank you.
A Celebration of Life and service will be held at Herbert Funeral Home on Saturday May 31 at 11:30 a.m. with Father Richard Bartoszek celebrant. The family will receive friends starting at 10:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, for those wishing to remember Janet with a memorial, the family suggests the Stomp Out Cancer Fund (SOC): SOC Fund, PO Box 783, Manistee, MI 49660. soc-fund.org and envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
The Herbert Funeral Home in Manistee oversees the Funeral arrangements.