Janet A Thomas

Janet Ann Thomas (née Werner), age 86, of Shelby Township, Michigan, and formerly of Lake City, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.

Janet was born on July 25, 1939 in Detroit, Michigan, to the late Lawrence and Hazel (née Dittman) Werner. She was a proud graduate of St. Ambrose Catholic High School in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. Janet spent many dedicated years working at United Micro Labs in Madison Heights and later at GM QEK in Warren. She was also a member of the American Legion.

Jan would tell you her greatest accomplishment was her children and the time she spent with her grandchildren. She was a beautiful and creative soul who loved deeply, worried fiercely, and held tightly to the people she cared about. An accomplished artist, Janet had a special love for painting and crafts. Her porcelain portrait of Christ was published in China Magazine, a testament to her remarkable talent and faith.

Janet retired in 2004 and moved north to Lake City, Michigan, where she embraced a slower pace of life. She loved fishing and cherished her winters as a snowbird in Arizona with her loving companion Jim Thomas. There, they enjoyed visiting casinos, sitting poolside, listening to music, dancing, and spending joyful time with friends. Janet was an avid reader and collected so many books, painting magazines, and cookbooks that she often joked she could have opened her own bookstore.

In her later years, while living in nursing homes, Janet continued to care for others, becoming an ambassador for new residents who were nervous about their transition. She welcomed them warmly, ensuring everyone felt safe and at home. She touched many lives-including staff members-with her positivity, strength, kindness, and by sharing wallet-sized prints of her cherished Christ portrait.

Janet was the loving mother of Patricia Scheuer; Linda (Paul) Jackonen; Deanne (Jim) Vargo; John Fulco; Daniel (Tara) Fulco; and Donna Johnson; and stepmother to Carrie (Ralph) Fusciardi and Molly (Joe) Harlow. She was a proud grandmother to 24 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

Cherished companion of James Thomas.

She was preceded in death by her siblings, Joan Cushard, and Larry (Rose) Werner.

Janet will be remembered for her artistic spirit, generous heart, unwavering faith, and the deep love she had for her family and friends. Her legacy of kindness and compassion will live on in all who were blessed to know her.

Family and friends will gather to celebrate Janet's life with a memorial gathering and service on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at the Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Home 8459 Hall Road (3 Blks E. of Van Dyke) Utica from 2pm until the time of services 5pm with Pastor Barry Allen, officiating.

A inurnment will take place on Janet's birthday (July 25, 2026) in Oak Grove Cemetery, Jennings, Michigan.