Janet Waddington Clark, 83, passed away surrounded by loved ones on August 7, 2026. Born on July 24, 1943, Janet lived a life defined by faith, love, creativity, and devotion to her family and community.
Janet was the beloved wife of Richard J. Clark. She was a cherished mother to Karen (Jeremy) Kahn and Deborah (Chris) Apel, and an inspirational grandmother to Kelsey (Matt) Williams, Kendall and Annabelle Kahn and Taylor and Ryan Apel. She was also a proud great-grandmother to Drew Emma Williams. She is survived by her brother, James (June) Waddington, and was preceded in death by her parents, Emma and Lester Waddington.
Janet treasured every moment spent with her family and was especially proud of the accomplishments and successes of her children and grandchildren. She never missed an opportunity to celebrate their milestones and cheer them on.
After receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree from Grove City College in 1965, Janet began her career as an upper elementary school teacher, while completing her master’s degree in education at UPenn. Janet then changed her focus to teaching preschool, where she developed innovative programs and early childhood curriculum that made a lasting impression. She later built a successful career as a Realtor in the Rochester, NY area where her ability to connect with people served her well. From young adulthood she was also active in the P.E.O. Sisterhood. Throughout her professional and personal life, Janet embraced leadership and mentoring roles and was always willing to encourage, guide, and support others.
Janet was a wonderfully creative person who found joy in making beautiful things. She particularly enjoyed writing, Diamond Dot art, and crafting beautiful gifts for others. She gathered inspiration from her extensive travel and her creativity reflected the way she approached life – with curiosity, imagination, and a desire to make things a little more beautiful. In recent years, Janet was an involved member of the Windsor Meade community, serving on multiple committees and leading many Arts & Crafts programs, as well as a member of Jamestown Presbyterian Church. She will be remembered by both communities for her kindness, encouragement, and genuine interest in others.
Janet faced life’s challenges with strength and grace. She found particular joy in watching sunrises and sunsets and spending time on sandy beaches. Her faith was an integral part of her journey and she remained steadfast in the belief that God was always with her to greet the unknown.
Janet leaves behind a beautiful legacy. Her greatest joy was her family, and the love she gave them will continue to live on through every generation.
She will be deeply missed and forever cherished.
A Celebration of Life for Janet will be held at WindsorMeade of Williamsburg in The Kensington Room, located at 3900 Windsor Hall Drive, Williamsburg, Virginia, on September 1, 2026, at 11:00 am.
In lieu of flowers and to honor the memory of Mrs. Janet Clark, memorial gifts may be made to the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester. Janet was a longtime participant in our programs and remained connected to the Coalition and Common Ground even after moving to Virginia in 2018. She continued to stay connected from afar, and we are grateful for the many years she was part of our community. It is an honor to celebrate and remember her life.
