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Janet Gutterman Obituary
passed away at the Hope Health Hulitar Hospice Center after a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer on May 13, 2021.
Janet was born in the Bronx on August 22, 1946, the daughter of Bernice and Milton Hess. She earned her undergraduate degree at Hofstra University and a Masters in Early Childhood Development at Duquesne University. She is survived by her husband Rabbi Leslie Y. Gutterman, daughter, Allison (Matthew) Spielman, step-daughters Rabbi Rebecca Gutterman (Michael), Elizabeth Gutterman, sister, Risa Hess, brother, Charles Hess and grandchildren Daniel, Jonah and Benjamin, along with a wide circle of grieving kin.
Janet was a dedicated community leader. She was the strategic planner for the Pittsburgh Jewish community where she won national awards for refugee resettlement. Janet moved to Providence to assume the presidency of the Jewish Federation of Rhode Island, known now as the Jewish Alliance. Upon her retirement she tutored at the Martin Luther King School. Janet was a docent at the Rhode Island School of Design Museum and delighted in introducing youngsters to their first visit to a museum.
Janet's love of children and flowers was legendary. She found great satisfaction mentoring countless young women beginning their professional career in the Jewish community. People of all ages were drawn to her and felt connected to her because of her gifts of spirit, kindness, listening without judgement and her utter decency and wholesome values.
Leslie married Janet after his first wife, Julie died. Janet took immense joy creating a close knit, loving family who treasured her.
Janet was sustained these past months by Dr. Howard Safran's remarkable competence, sensitivity and compassion along with the skill of nurses at the Miriam Hospital Fain Cancer Center.
Dr. Fred Schiffman guided and guarded the Guttermans on a daily basis. God bless him.
Funeral services will be private. The family will receive guests from 1-3 PM under the tent at Temple Beth- El. (Masks and distancing required.) The family requests that donations made in memory of Janet be directed to Temple Beth-El.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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