Janet Parker

Obituary of Janet ParkerJanet A. (Jan) Parker, wife of her beloved husband Dr. Edward J. Parker of Dunnellon, Fl died on March 13, 2012 at Legacy House, Ocala, Fl after a long struggle with a chronic respiratory disease (COPD). Jan was born in Bellshill, Scotland on June 1, 1931 to Tom and Jeanie Herbison. She leaves her husband of 58 years, Edward J. Parker; two daughters; Jeanne (Tim) Brown of Cicero, NY and Susan (Bob) Hirsch of Tonawanda, NY; five grandchildren, Michael Brown of Utica, NY, Rob (Elaina) Hirsch of Baltimore, MD, Melissa (Adam) Kane of Clay, NY, Michael Hirsch of Tonawanda, NY, and Janet Hirsch of Baltimore, MD; brother John (Reitta) Herbison of Greeley, CO; cousin Ruth (Dave) Oswald of Naperville, IL; sister-in-law Catherine (Frank) Gotovich of Cape Cod, MA, numerous cousins and relatives in Scotland, and many wonderful friends. Jan's early years were spent in West Orange and Summit, NJ. She was a First Class Girl Scout having achieved the Curved Bar Award, the highest award in Girl Scouting, in the 1940's. Jan graduated in 1954 from Keuka College in Keuka Park, NY with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business (Retailing) and Home Economics. Jan taught Home Economics at the State University of New York Campus School in Oswego, NY and was the textbook manager at the State University College of Morrisville in Morrisville, NY for many years and retired in 1990. She moved to Dunnellon, FL in 1993 with her husband Ed. Jan enjoyed bagpipers, tartans, Scottish music and dancing, crafts of various sorts including sewing and knitting, cooking and baking and interacting with young children. Jan was fiercely proud of her Scottish ancestry including her Aunt Peggy Herbison, the Right Honorable Margaret Herbison, and her career in the House of Commons serving in a cabinet position under Prime Minister Wilson, and as a member of the Queen's Privy Council. Most of all Jan loved her beautiful family and liked to please them. Her love of people was nurtured by her love of God. Baptized a Presbyterian in Scotland as an infant she learned to love Jesus in the protestant churches of her early childhood. She knew intimately the bible, verses and stories and sacred hymns. She carried all of her love of Jesus on to the Catholic faith raising her children and converting to Catholicism in the early eighties. As a Roman Catholic she served as a Eucharistic Minister for many years in Morrisville, NY and also was a motivating force in establishing a Newman Chapter at Morrisville College, working with Reverend Don Karlin. Jan served many years as principal advisor to the Newman Society and was their dynamic supporter. Jan was the moving force in establishing an annual Bachelaurate mass for all catholic Newman students at St. Joan of Arc Church in Morrisville, NY. A gathering of friends will take place at Roberts Funeral Homes Bruce Chapel west on Friday March16th from 5-7PM. A funeral mass will take place on Saturday the 17th at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church 7525 Hwy 41 in Dunnellon at 11AM. Friends may leave condolences at (www.robertsfuneralhomes.com)

Janet Parker

June 1, 1931 - March 13, 2012