| Graduation Year | Class of 1968 |
| Date of Passing | Apr 03, 2010 |
| About | Janet Harner Smith, 59, went home to be with her Lord on Saturday, April 3, 2010, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born on Sept. 30, 1950, in Springfield, Ohio, to William and Betty Harner, who preceded her in death. She grew up in Urbana, Ohio, and graduated from Urbana High School in 1968. She graduated from Capital University in 1973 with a combined music, nursing and social work degree. Her career began as a kindergarten teacher. She then changed career paths and spent 20 years with the American Heart Association, beginning as a field consultant, then a chapter director, area director and regional director, overseeing 47 counties. After leaving the American Heart Association, she worked at Pellegrino Music Center. For four years, she served as the regional director of The Caring Program for Children, where she helped thousands of children receive health insurance. From 1998 until her death, she served as the executive director of FACES of Stark County. Jan’s first love was always her music. She began playing the piano when she was 4 years old and continued to play for the remainder of her life. She served as the student accompanist at Urbana Junior and Senior High schools. At Capital University, she not only accompanied, but she also was a featured singer and soloist with the Capital University Men’s Glee Club, as well as the Chamber Singers. While singing at Capital, she met her future husband, Gary. They were married in 1970. She spent 38 years accompanying for her husband who was a choral music teacher. She was also the pianist at First Baptist Church in Alliance for 15 years. In 1993, Jan began accompanying for Kirk Hofmeister at Crenshaw Middle School, then at McKinley High School. Jan’s leadership, rapport and guidance were an inspiration to her students, her staff, parishioners and friends. Over her lifetime, Jan received numerous volunteer awards for her community service. As a child, and later as a Mother Adviser, she was active with The Rainbow Girls. Most notably, in October 2009, Jan was selected as a Patient of Courage by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons for her ability to triumph over the adversity of her illness. It was a blessing that she was able to travel to Seattle, Wash., with her family to receive this prestigious award. She is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Gary, with whom she would have celebrated 40 years of marriage in August; one son and daughter-in-law, Jonathan and Jayme Smith, and one daughter and son-in-law, Kimberly and Michael Robbins, all of Canton, Ohio. Also surviving is her sister, Kate Harner of Cincinnati. The family wishes to recognize and thank those who have touched Jan’s life. First, thank you to Pastor Gordon Thomas and the members of First Baptist Church in Alliance, Ohio, who have loved and supported her and her family for 16 years, especially to Marty and Dave Daniels for their very special musical and personal love and assistance. Thank you to her team of doctors who worked diligently to find a cure, including Dr. Richard Cooper, family doctor; Dr. Dena Rooney and her entire oncology nursing staff; Dr. David Linz, surgeon; and Dr. Stephen Carp, plastic surgeon. Thank you to the nurses and therapists at Aultman Hospital, as well as Aultman Home Health Care and Hospice nurses. Thank you to the staff and volunteers of FACES of Stark County and all her professional and personal friends who supported her in her battle. Thank you to the firefighters and medics at Canton City Fire Department Station 10 for the kindness and compassion you showed; she touched even your lives. A special thank you to Kirk Hofmeister and the past and present members of the McKinley Senior High School Choral Music Department. Your love for her and your devotion to her brought her the greatest of joy. Your music was her best medicine. In honoring her wishes, Jan will be cremated. Friends and family will be received from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 9, 2010, at Arnold Funeral Home in Canton and from 1 to 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 1659 W. State St., Alliance, Ohio 44601. A memorial celebration service will take place at the church at 2 p.m. on Saturday with Pastor Gordon Thomas officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the McKinley Senior High School Choral Music Department or First Baptist Church of Alliance. (4-6-10) Arnold, Canton, 330-456-7291 www.arnoldfuneralhome.com SIGN UP FOR DAILY E-MAIL Wake up to the day’s top news, delivered to your inbox |
