Janet Kay Foley
August 16, 1934 – January 24, 2023
Janet Kay Foley, age 88, of Morristown, Tenn., passed away on Jan. 24, 2023, at Erwin Health Care Center. Her life's quote was, “My spiritual bag is packed,” knowing that when she left this earth she would run into the arms of Jesus. Despite struggling with vascular dementia, Janet never lost her love for people, greeting everyone with her infectious smile. She touched both staff and residents at Erwin, where she was known as “Miss Sunshine.” God used her to be a blessing to so many!
Janet was born in Bluffton, Ohio, on Aug. 16, 1934, to William and Rhoda Althaus. She was married to Donald F. Gratz for 38 years; he preceded her in death in 1995. They raised three daughters, Karla Grills of Morristown, Tenn.; Tana (Brent) Fortney of Huntington, Ind.; and Rhonda (Brad) Pidgeon of Lexington, Ohio.
In 2000 Janet married Sherman R. Foley, who preceded her in death in August 2019. Step-children include Steve (Sandy) Foley of Avon, Ind.; Randy Foley of Cincinnati, Ohio; and Melinda (Jeff) Zeigler of Sugar Hill, Ga. Step-children Shirley and Greg preceded her in death. Janet is survived by eight grandchildren, 10 step-grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and 11 step-great-grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by her son-in-law, Craig Grills; her sisters, Ferol Fett and Treva Stratton; and a sister-in-law, Carolyn Farinola.
Janet worked in the insurance industry for many years. But her true passion was music! Throughout her life she directed many church and community choirs in Ohio and Sun City Center, Fla. She was a vocalist and sang many solos and was involved in various choirs. She was also a church organist and pianist and gave multiple piano lessons. She and Sherman enjoyed volunteering at Nearly New (also known as The Hat Lady) and Tampa Performing Arts. A big highlight of her life was rambunctiously cheering on her grandchildren at their sporting events. However, her grandchildren LOVED her infamous backrubs!
A celebration of Janet’s life will be held on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, at Waite and Son Funeral Home Medina Chapel, Medina, Ohio. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. followed by a service at 11. Memorials may be given in honor of Janet to First Baptist Church of Sparta, 1222 Sparta Pike, Moores Hill, IN 47032.
Online condolences and memories may be left for the family at www.waitefuneralhome.com/.
Janet was born in Bluffton, Ohio, on Aug. 16, 1934, to William and Rhoda Althaus. She was married to Donald F. Gratz for 38 years; he preceded her in death in 1995. They raised three daughters, Karla Grills of Morristown, Tenn.; Tana (Brent) Fortney of Huntington, Ind.; and Rhonda (Brad) Pidgeon of Lexington, Ohio.
In 2000 Janet married Sherman R. Foley, who preceded her in death in August 2019. Step-children include Steve (Sandy) Foley of Avon, Ind.; Randy Foley of Cincinnati, Ohio; and Melinda (Jeff) Zeigler of Sugar Hill, Ga. Step-children Shirley and Greg preceded her in death. Janet is survived by eight grandchildren, 10 step-grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and 11 step-great-grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by her son-in-law, Craig Grills; her sisters, Ferol Fett and Treva Stratton; and a sister-in-law, Carolyn Farinola.
Janet worked in the insurance industry for many years. But her true passion was music! Throughout her life she directed many church and community choirs in Ohio and Sun City Center, Fla. She was a vocalist and sang many solos and was involved in various choirs. She was also a church organist and pianist and gave multiple piano lessons. She and Sherman enjoyed volunteering at Nearly New (also known as The Hat Lady) and Tampa Performing Arts. A big highlight of her life was rambunctiously cheering on her grandchildren at their sporting events. However, her grandchildren LOVED her infamous backrubs!
A celebration of Janet’s life will be held on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, at Waite and Son Funeral Home Medina Chapel, Medina, Ohio. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. followed by a service at 11. Memorials may be given in honor of Janet to First Baptist Church of Sparta, 1222 Sparta Pike, Moores Hill, IN 47032.
Online condolences and memories may be left for the family at www.waitefuneralhome.com/.