Janet Rikhoff

Surrounded by the love of her family, Janet Mae Finlay Rikhoff, 90, of Newtown, Connecticut passed away peacefully, after a short illness, on Sunday, January 19th, 2025.
Janet was born November 30th, 1934, in Xenia, Ohio, the daughter of John M. and Edith Beals Finlay. She graduated from Kettering Fairmont High School in 1952, where she was a member of the National Honor Society, a member of the field hockey team, and Homecoming Queen her senior year.
Janet went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts at Ohio State University. While attending university, Janet was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority and was recognized for her contributions to the Buckeye community by being selected for the 1953 May Queen Court. She also met James Cornwall Rikhoff at Ohio State upon his return from serving in the Korean war. Throughout Janets life, Ohio State University and James Cornwall Rikhoff, remained two of the great loves of her life. No doubt she would have been cheering on her beloved Buckeye Football team on January 20th, 2025, as they won the national collegiate championship!
Janet married Jim on March 17th, 1956, in Franklin County, Ohio and began a journey that took them around the world for the next 70 years. The couple originally relocated to Arizona while Jim completed his graduate work at the American Institute of Foreign Trade and eventually found their dream home in western New Jersey. However, Jim and Janet's life was not confined to the U.S.; they shared a lifetime of adventures from many safari's throughout Africa to exploring the highlands of her beloved homeland of Scotland (John Finlay, her father, immigrated from Dundee, Scotland), and many other countries in between.
For 56 years, Janet was the linchpin of Speakeasy Hill-her 200-year-old home and farm in High Bridge-which she devoted her time, energy, and love to 'keeping the fires lit' so Jim could work to establish himself as one of the leading professionals in the outdoor field, first as a Director at Olin Corporation and as President of Winchester Press, and later as president of The National Sporting Fraternity.
As a family, Janet and Jim created a life for their children which included many outdoor pursuits, including horseback riding and skiing, which Janet decided early on that she was best as the lodge support person! Janet enjoyed horseback riding and joined her husband, the Master of Hounds for Amwell Fox Hunt, in the field many Sundays. As her children, Erika and Christina began to join the field, Janet transitioned to 'hilltopper' and would follow the event making sure she was never far away with hot chocolate, as well as making sure everyone was warm and safe-well at least safe! Although young Jimmy never joined his sister's enthusiasm for horses, there was never a question that his mom was his greatest supporter and was in the stands at every one of Jimmy's baseball games!
Those close to Janet knew that she took great pleasure in spending time with and supporting her family. She quickly became known primarily as Grammy after the first of her eight grandchildren was born. She was the mom that all the neighborhood kids knew, the most consistent and enthusiastic fan at her children and grandchildren's events, the taxi driver for all, the volunteer class mother, the creator of family traditions, and the one who reminded everyone that no matter what shenanigans the grandchildren got into," all they needed was a hug!"
Holidays at Speakeasy Hill were sacred to Grammy. Cooking, sharing her recipes with her family, especially those that were Rikhoff traditions such as Divinity (candy), her special mustard, iced sugar cookies, and Grammy's amazing mash potatoes and gravy. Indeed, as her four granddaughters became old enough, Grammy took pride in teaching them the art of these family traditions.
As Janet's children became teenagers, she decided to pursue a career as a Social Worker for the State of New Jersey in Hunterdon County where she remained for 38 years until she retired at age 78. Prior to that, Janet had been a much-loved substitute teacher for many years as well as a member of the High Bridge Planning and Zoning Commission devoted to protecting the beautiful small town that she loved.
It would be difficult to determine what Janet enjoyed most because she had many interests throughout her life. However, her commitment to the New York Times crossword puzzle, watching Jeopardy every night, and playing bridge with an enduring group of 12 that met regularly was very well known. In fact, her family knew that under no circumstances did anyone touch the Sunday magazine section of the New York Times until she had completed the puzzle, nor would anyone dare call the house between 7:00 PM and 7:30 PM during Jeopardy.
Remaining to cherish Janet's memory are beloved husband, James; her three children, Erika Viktoria Wallace (Skip), Christina Anne Rikhoff Foley, James Cornwall Rikhoff, Jr.; the grandchildren that she cherished, Stewart James Anderson (Paige), Lindsay Porter Anderson, Victoria Kaitlin (Kate) Foley (Scott Mimnaugh), Timothy Ryan Foley, Duncan Finlay Anderson, Delaney Taylor Foley, Kellen Tennison Rikhoff (Cat Kelly), Avery Lennon Rikhoff ; and the first great-grandson that Grammy was so excited to meet this April.
In Ohio, Janet has her nephews Greg Russell (Kelly) and Mark Russell (Kelly), her sister-in law, Alice Finlay; and in upstate New York, her niece Allison Branson (Dan) and her nephew Jeff Branson, as well as many nieces and nephews who she cared so much for.
At Churchill Village in Newtown, Connecticut where Janet and Jim moved in 2020, the many staff and community became truly wonderful friends to Jan and Jim, especially her partner in shenanigans, Bernadette Schiavone and Amar Amembal.
Preceding Janet in death are her daughter, Victoria Alexandra Rikhoff, her parents, John and Edith Finlay, her sister Marilyn Russell (Sam) and brother David Finlay; as well as her sister-in law, Jean Rikhoff.
Janet, Grammy, alias 'The Little Pixie', will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. The family has plans to honor and celebrate her later this spring and will share information at a future time. On Tuesday, February 4th, at 1:00 PM, Janet's friends at Churchill Village held a memorial to celebrate their friend as they continue to support Jim as he navigates the future without the love of his life, for which our family is eternally grateful for.
Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown served Janet's family.
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