Janet Calvert

1929 - 2016

Janet Ramming Calvert had her well-lived life ended unexpectedly and quickly on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016, by a heart attack. She was born March 2, 1929, in Pittsburgh, to the late Richard Arthur and Amanda Ramming. "We were poor," she often said, "but we didn't know we were poor." She and her sisters, Alice and Evelyn "Cookie", grew up in West View, in a close-knit community of family and a lot of people who weren't actually family but who were considered to be. Janet thoroughly enjoyed her four years at Slippery Rock State College, where she made many lifelong friendships while earning her degree in elementary education. The November following her graduation, she married Raymond Lowell Calvert on the day of the historic 30-inch snowfall of 1950. The ceremony was lightly attended, on account of the blizzard, but it did the job, as Janet and Ray were very happy together until Ray's death, 42 years later. Janet taught elementary school for many years, most of them at Cheswick Elementary School and Acmetonia Elementary School. She and Ray raised two daughters, Cathie (Wagner) and Lynne (Perkins), in the company of some of the world's best neighbors, and with the help of so many dear friends at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Springdale. Janet adored her four grandchildren and her two great-grandchildren. She was close to her sisters (as well as nieces, nephews, their spouses and children) her entire life, and her sons-in-law, Ray Wagner and Bill Perkins, were embraced as sons. Faith, family and friends were the cornerstones of her life. She was strong, loyal, fun-loving and a teller of stories. Her adventurous spirit took her to Europe, Aruba and New Zealand, as well as many places closer to home. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, and served as a grand officer. She was a charter member and former matron of the North Hills Chapter 526. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Raymond; and daughter, Cathie. We love her dearly, and she will be greatly missed.
Janet's family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016, in the CHARLES B. JARVIE CHESWICK FUNERAL HOME INC., 1607 Pittsburgh St. Services will commence at 11 a.m. Monday in St. Mark's Lutheran Church by her pastor, the Rev. Tricia Schneck. Entombment to follow in Lakewood Memorial Gardens, Dorseyville.
Memorial contributions may be made in her name to St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 600 Pittsburgh St., Springdale, PA 15144. www.jarviefuneralhome.com.