Janet Ruth (Wilson) Quimby

Janet Ruth Quimby, age 80 of Granger, Indiana passed away on September 4, at St Joseph Regional Medical Center in Mishawaka. Janet was born on May 23, 1943, in Melbourne, Australia to the late Jack and Molly (Powling) Wilson. While she was working for Melbourne University in Zambia, she met Barry and their love for each other grew quickly. Janet was a devoted wife to Barry, standing by his side throughout his long and rewarding careers in education and finance. Their journey took them to various countries before they settled in Mishawaka in 1982. Together, they shared a love for ballroom dancing and the simple pleasure of spending quality time as a couple. They were married on July 27, 1968, in Lusaka, Zambia, and celebrated nearly 55 years of marriage before Barry’s passing on May 7, 2023.

Janet is survived by her daughters Abigail "Abby" (Mike) Bracken of Elkhart, Belinda (Scott Rackers) Quimby of St. Louis, Missouri, and Camilla (E.W. Lawrence Jr.) Shaw of Granger, Indiana, along with their grandchildren Sophie and Will Shaw. Janet also leaves behind her siblings Shane (Christine Moran) Wilson and Denise Swift, her nieces and nephews Jessica (Danny) Martin, Luke Swift, Timothy Moran, Emily Moran and her great niece Andie Martin and great nephew Lincoln Martin, all of Melbourne, Australia, as well as her brother-in-law Donald (Beverly) Quimby of Noblesville, Indiana.  She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother-in-law Rod Swift.

Friends and family may visit 2 hours prior to the 2:00 pm celebration of life for Janet on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at Cruz Family Funeral Home, Osceola, Indiana.  For those unable to attend, a livestream of her service will begin at 1:50 pm and may be viewed in real time in the video window below.

Janet spent over 20 years serving the Town of Osceola as a medical coding specialist at the Osceola Clinic where she was respected by the physicians and her co-workers as well the numerous patients she would speak with daily.

Janet was a woman of refinement and grace, known for her impeccable taste. She was an avid reader, with a particular fondness for the mysteries penned by Agatha Christie and the gripping tales of Dick Francis, the Queen’s jockey. Her evenings were often spent engrossed in the world of mystery and intrigue, much like her favorite television show, "Murder She Wrote." She also preferred the BBC as her trusted source for "proper news from around the world." Janet enjoyed watching British television dramas like "Downton Abbey" and followed events related to Queen Elizabeth and the Royal Family with genuine interest. Janet also enjoyed testing her vast knowledge of trivia while watching Jeopardy nightly, keeping her personal score and sharing her evening’s total with her daughters.

A woman of refined taste, Janet enjoyed the finer things in life. She loved a good glass of white wine or sherry and had a penchant for Indian cuisine. Her tea, served in a delicate cup made of fine China, was a comforting ritual that brought her joy. Listening to classical music and attending the theater were also sources of inspiration and delight in her life.

Above all, Janet's heart was dedicated to her family. As a mother, she always made sure the house was clean and tidy and the family had a home-cooked meal every night. Her daughters held a special place in her heart, and she cherished the moments spent with them during their younger years. She supported them as they pursued their passions, taking Belinda and Camilla to dance conventions throughout the Midwest and even overseas to England and Scotland. She loved getting together with her grown daughters, especially enjoying wine nights with Abby and friends. Her role as a grandma to Sophie and Will brought great joy to her life, as she cared for her grandchildren in their early and impressionable years.

To light a virtual candle, share a story of Janet’s life, or leave a message of comfort for her family, please follow the links provided on the tribute wall tab above.