Janet Wurmstich

1925 - 2012

Janet Wurmstich
Virginia Beach - Janet died peacefully on August 13, 2012 in her residence at Franciscan Oaks in Denville, NJ. She was 87. She was born in New York City to parents Marion and Ralph Keefer. Janet graduated from high school in Asbury Park, NJ and from Mary Washington College, majoring in Psychology. Pursuing her love of children and desire to help others, she became a social worker for the State of New Jersey.
Known for her kindness, generosity and ease of conversation, Janet was a selfless person who won the hearts of all who knew her. She was incredibly beautiful-inside and out. A thoughtful and gracious hostess, entertaining traditions such as her annual Christmas Party were cherished by family and friends alike.
In 1983, Janet and her husband Bud retired to Virginia Beach. She attended exercise class, volunteered at the hospital, embraced her artistic heritage through her oil painting and perfected her role as Grandmother Extraordinaire. She took full advantage of her free time and traveled extensively with her husband and her friends. After Bud's death in 2001, Janet moved back to NJ, into Franciscan Oaks and delighted in reconnecting with old friends and with her church. Her charm and kindness facilitated this transition and new friendships added richness and support to her life.
Janet was predeceased by her husband Bud and her daughter Susan Jane Wurmstich. She is survived by daughter Lee Clymer and son-in-law Jim, daughter Cathy Schmermund, son Gordon Wurmstich and daughter-in-law Tracey, and a cousin Sherry Keefer Langner of California. "Grandma Janet" dearly loved the lights of her life: Keefer and William Lehner, Sarah and Carly Schmermund, and Cole, Keefer, and Emma Wurmstich.
A celebration of her life will be held Monday, August 27 at 11 am at The Community Church, 46 Briarcliff Rd., Mountain Lakes, NJ. Please honor Janet's wishes by wearing brightly colored attire rather than the customary black. To pay tribute to her compassion and the joy she found in children, in lieu of flowers, friends are invited to make a donation in her name to Operation Smile: 1.888.377.2280 or operationsmile.org. Your full donation is used to send doctors and nurses to impoverished countries in order to repair severe childhood facial deformities. Janet would be delighted to know she continues to bring smiles to choldren's faces.