Janet Goss Eaton

Janet Goss Eaton

Janet Goss Eaton, 90, of Sarasota, Fla died Feb 19, 2015 Her ashes will be buried in northern Vermont She was married to Peter Kissel who predeceased her

Mother was born Sept 24, 1924 in Floral Park, Long Island, NY to Quincy Wheeler Goss and Alice Leona Wakeman She grew up in New Canaan, graduating from New Canaan High School She attended Vermont College for Women where she studied business and organ, excelled in ice dancing, served on the Queen's Court, and sang in the chorus in Burlington to entertain the troops

After graduation she was assistant town clerk and head pianist at the Community Concert in New Canaan, where she married Air Force LT Peter Kissel Eaton (born and raised in New Canaan) in 1945 He died in 1990 in Sarasota

Mother is survived by her daughter, Cathy Schmidt (Dr Paul), son Frederick William III "Rick", two grandchildren, Lt Col Eric C Schmidt USAF (Heather), Courtney S Creason (Dr Josh), eight great-grandchildren, Lydia, Levi, Ephraim and Malachi Schmidt and Elise, Charlotte, Lyla, and Melanie Creason She is also survived by her brother Dean Goss of Connecticut, four nieces and one nephew

Mother moved to Sarasota from Connecticut 45 years ago, but her heart always remained in New England She devoted her life to her family and was active in her community and Congregational Church She was a gifted pianist, organist, seamstress, gardener Mother loved bridge, crossword puzzles, reading, and needlepoint She stenciled furniture, did tole painting, and wrote poetry She was one of the founders of the Longboat Key Library

The last quarter of a century was a gift as our mother suffered a near fatal stroke and was not expected to live Though she always would need a walker, she regained her independence, passed her driving test, and drove alone to New England

Her great joy was her family, including attending her grandchildren's weddings, and meeting seven of eight great grandchildren An extremely strong-willed lady, even in declining health, she maintained her dry wit and had a smile for everyone

- The Family