Janet M. Hovis

Our beloved Janet M. Hovis of Smyrna, DE passed away peacefully on September 19, 2025. She was on a long-planned vacation to Asheville, NC, living life her way - exploring, traveling, learning, fiercely independent. She was 77.

Born to James and Gloria Sheppard on October 6, 1947, on Long Island, NY, her family later resided in Levittown, PA to include her siblings Eileen, Jim, John, and Gloria. Janet moved to Delaware after marrying, residing first in Dover, then Seaford, and eventually settling into her home in Smyrna in the 1980's, raising three daughters Janet, Colleen, and Erin (nee Murphy).

In 1993, Janet was blessed to meet and marry the love of her life, Bruce Hovis. Janet and Bruce were inseparable and avid golfers, traveling across the US to golf in Hawaii, California, Florida, South Carolina, and Arizona. Bruce adored Janet and treated her as his queen. He left this world too early in 2006, but Janet remained devoted to him. After retiring from Willis Ford in Smyrna more than 12 years ago, Janet developed a passion for traveling. She explored the world including North and South America, Africa, Asia, and Europe, largely alongside her sister, Eileen. Remarkably in her later years she traveled independently, as far away as Vietnam and even to South America just this year. Janet also loved relaxing on the beach with friends and family as well as playing cards and socializing with a treasured group of friends. She found strength in sharing her faith with the St. Polycarp Catholic Church community, dedicating her time and love to Divine Mercy and the Columbiettes.

Janet is survived by her daughters Janet Owen (Jim), Colleen Harbaugh (Cary), and Erin Jackson (Bill); step-children Jennifer Lindell (Butch) and Christopher Hovis (Amanda); sisters Eileen Bigge and Gloria Sheppard-Krout (Bennett), and sister in-law Nancy Anderson (Bob); niece Lauren Bigge and nephews Jim Sheppard, Jesse Anderson; sixteen grandchildren Colin (Trina) , Cordelia, Cara, Alaina (Jonathan), Brad, Connor, Kavanagh, Nolan, Mac (Emily), Ally, Jesse, Mia, William, Devon, Alyssa, and Elaina; and eight great-grandchildren Kinsley, Ryleigh, Emma, Matthew, Anna, Declan, Reilynn, and Zoe. She cherished being a grandmother and great-grandmother, and was very thankful for her grandson Colin who answered the call whenever she needed him.

Janet was loved and will be missed, but we can all take comfort knowing she is again with her love Bruce who was surely ready and waiting for her after almost 20 years.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at 11 AM at St. Polycarp Parish, located at 55 Ransom Lane in Smyrna. Burial will follow in Glenwood Cemetery in Smyrna.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to St. Polycarp Parish in her memory would be appreciated.