Birth date: Feb 8, 1948 Death date: May 9, 2024
Janet (Matherly) Ford, age 76, of Charlotte, NC passed away May 9th, 2024 in her home. Janet was born February 8th, 1948, to Frances & Paul Matherly in Battle Creek, MI. She graduated from Lakeview High School. Married to Ronald Read Obituary
Likely speaking for much of the Lakeview High School class of '66, Janet was one the nicest, kindest, most liked girl in our entire class of over 360 students. She will be missed for now, but, for many of us believers, we will see her again.
My memories of Janet are all filled with joyful laughter and many questions. She always leaned forward and asked questions of how I was doing, the kids, my parents, and my sister. I had trouble getting to ask her anything because she was so engaged in hearing all about our family. I loved that about her and she taught me to LISTEN. To truly listen to others. I will greatly miss seeing her smile, her kind words, her amazing hugs. She exuded Jesus!!
The news about Jan has affected me to the extent that I’ve shed a lot of tears over the past few days. We shared our childhood together, so I have been revisiting a lot of memories from that time in our lives.
It is always easy to lose friendships over time especially due to distance, but Jan simply did not let that happen. She kept in touch regularly through cards, letters and photos, so at least that made it possible for us to share updates on our children, our various ‘moves’ and even the loss of our own parents. I have two daughters who currently live in North Carolina (Raleigh and Concord), so Jan & I talked seriously about getting together
perhaps later this year when there are tentative plans for us to visit NC again. There is a lot of regret on my part that I wasn’t more diligent in reaching out to Jan just to share a lot of memories together & reconnect in every way possible.
It really was such fun growing up together --- and looking back I honestly don’t remember a single time that Jan wasn’t smiling. She always appeared to be so happy & content with
her life, and this carried through as she eventually got married and had children of her own. At this stage of our lives we are now both grandmothers, so there have been many new topics to talk about.
I can never even begin to imagine what her family must be feeling at this moment. Jan was the kindest & most loving person that I have ever known. I’ve had plenty of time in
the past few days to reminisce about all kinds of memories. Unfortunately, even though this is definitely nostalgic, I must admit that the sadness takes over very quickly.
Jan touched the lives of so many ----both family & friends, so it is still difficult for me to imagine a world without her smile, her kindness and her caring for everyone. I’m hoping that time will allow me to remember more moments in our lives when we were children (without the tears & sadness that I’m feeling right now).
All of Jan’s family are in my thoughts today. She was so loved in her life….and I truly miss her already.
Suzi Pounds
May 14, 2024
I just talked to Janet recently...as many of you will also say. I'd had found Paul Matherly, Janet and Marty's father's, obituary as recently as this April 19. I learned more about his life... On April 10-12, 2022 Janet came to see me. I'd been east several years ago, including seeing her Mom, Fran, and watching videos with her. Through the years I had kept a list, especially of Julie's children to keep up with their lives! But now I'm no longer to travel by myself because of my dementia....thus her trip to our house on April 10, 2022. Besides long term-memories and talking about our families, we liked discussing favorite hymns.
(There's a photo of us, plus my brother.) Finally, Janet and Marty lived next door to us the first 12 years of my life.
