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Janet A. Orton, of Guthrie, Oklahoma (formerly of Ramona and Oologah) passed away on April 19, 2020 after a long, but generally very sweet, battle with Alzheimer's. Jan was born to Raymond and Myrtle Althoff on April 30, 1934 in St. Louis, Missouri. She grew up in St. Louis as part of a small but very closely-knit family, graduating from high school in 1952. Jan then attended and graduated from Harris Teachers' College (St. Louis in 1956).
Janet married James A. Orton on October 26, 1957 in St. Louis. Over the following seven years, Jim and Jan had three children, David, Gail and Susan. They moved from St. Louis to the Tulsa area in the early 1970's and resided in Oologah until 2004, then in Ramona until 2015.
Janet was a talented, dedicated and caring elementary school teacher in the St. Louis and Oologah school districts for many years, having a profound effect on generations of children. In her teaching, as in all aspects of her life, Janet brought positivity and encouragement through so many actions, both large and small. Her face literally lit up when she talked about many of her students, and in her later years, anytime she so much as saw a child.
Jim and Jan moved to Guthrie at the time of Jim's final illness, and he preceded her in death on June 4, 2015. Since that time, Jan has resided in Guthrie, most recently at Ash Street Place and then Golden Age Nursing Center. While there, her genuine good-heartedness and joyful attitude was remarked upon by the staff and visitors on many occasions.
Until the move to Guthrie, Janet was a member of Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church in Bartlesville, and thereafter attended Harmony Community Church for several years, making friends at each step along life's path. That was also true in the various civic and volunteer activities in which she participated over the years, including leadership roles with the Oologah Historical Society/Will Rogers Birthplace and regularly volunteering at Oklahoma Heart Hospital on the Hillcrest Campus.
Janet was an immensely supportive, proud, caring and involved mother to David, Gail and Susan. Whether with food, needlepoint, thoughtful cards (in perfect elementary teacher penmanship), encouraging words, or participation in their activities, she was there for them. With her grandchildren, she was the consummate "Nannie", providing cherished memories and fun activities anytime they were able to be together.
Jan was predeceased by her parents, Raymond and Myrtle Althoff, her husband, Jim, and her sister Gloria.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law David and Charlotte Orton of Roswell, New Mexico and Hickory, North Carolina; her daughter and son-in-law, Gail and Steve Davis of Guthrie, Oklahoma; and her daughter and son-in-law Susan and Terry Pefanis of Brentwood, Tennessee. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Wyatt, Ruby and Shelby Orton, Sarah Davis Barbour, Amanda, Caleb and Cooper Davis, and Corbin, Margot and Trey Pefanis.
The family is especially appreciative for the staff of Ash Street Place and Golden Age who provided loving, patient and compassionate care to Jan over the last few years.
In accordance with Jan's wishes, she will be cremated. A celebration of Jan's life will be held at a later date due to the current social distancing mandates. Arrangements are under the direction of Smith-Gallo Funeral Home of Guthrie.
Friends and family may sign the on-line guest book at www.smithgallo.com.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jan's honor may be made to (i) Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, 801 S.E. Washington Blvd., Bartlesville, OK 74006, (ii) Harmony Community Church, P.O. Box 1393, Guthrie, OK 73044, (iii) Oologah Historical Society/Will Rogers Birthplace, 202 W Cooweescoowee Ave., Oologah, OK 74053 or (iv) a charity of the donor's choice.
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