Janet G. Charney, 78, of Danielsville, PA died Monday, March 27, 2017 in Lehigh Valley Hospital, Muhlenberg.
Born February 13, 1939 in Kingston, PA, she was a daughter of the late Dr. Ray and Dorothy (Gray) Goulstone. She and her husband, Daniel F. Charney, were married 55 years.
While some people have a passion for collecting stamps or art, Janet’s passion was helping people. She did this through the church and the community. For more than 20 years she served as the parish administrator for Trinity Episcopal Church. She was also an active member of the church where she sang in the choir, worked with the Altar Guild, and served as a Lay Eucharistic Minister taking communion to sick and home bound parishioners. She felt strongly about the importance of stewardship and served as a member of the Diocesan Stewardship Commission. Jan was also a member of Diocesan Council.
Janet’s efforts weren’t just focused on church activities. For more than 40 years she volunteered with Meals On Wheels, delivering meals throughout Northampton County. At Easton hospital she served on the Women’s Board and was a volunteer chaplain. One of Jan’s biggest projects was serving as the volunteer coordinator for the ARK Soup Kitchen. She read for the visually impaired and even translated books into braille. As a recovering alcoholic, Jan helped many people find sobriety through Alcoholics Anonymous.
Janet found her greatest joy in staying connected with family and friends. She was the Class Agent for the Class of 1961 and stayed in contact with many of her classmates from Cedar Crest College. She and Dan made many trips to see their grandsons, Austin and Kyle, play baseball. They travelled to England, Wales and Australia while visiting with family members. Holidays and summers were filled with get-togethers with extended family, college roommates and high school friends. Janet made the world a better place and her caring and comfort will be missed by the many lives she has touched.
Surviving with her husband, Daniel, are two daughters, Beth Lawson and her husband, Tim of York, PA and Kira French and her husband, Rick of South River, NJ; a son, David Charney and his wife, Lorry Mooney of Lakewood, CO; two brothers, Ted Goulstone and his wife, Cindy, and Robert Stone; and two grandchildren, Austin and Kyle French.
A Celebration of Life will be held 2:00 pm Saturday, April 22, 2017 in Trinity Church, 234 Spring Garden St., Easton.
Contributions may be made to Meals on Wheels of Northampton County, 4240 Fritch Dr., Bethlehem, PA 18020 or Trinity Church, 234 Spring Garden St., Easton, PA 18042. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.
Randy Kotzmann
March 28, 2017 at 12:07 pm
So sorry for your loss Dan. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Art and Britt Lyons
March 28, 2017 at 1:15 pm
Dan
Janet was a very special caring person. We are so sorry for your loss. We are scheduled to be in FL on the day of the celebration so we will not be able to attend. Chinese New Years will not be the same without her!
Mary P. James
March 28, 2017 at 3:16 pm
Offering my sincere condolences. I will miss Jan.
Elaine Treher Greek
March 28, 2017 at 6:30 pm
I want to tell the girls how sorry I was to hear of Jan’s passing. I remember her and you girls from Farmersville School. She was active there and always busy with CCC. I always saw her at activities and celebrations. She will really be missed by all who knew her. She was such fun with a great sense of humor. I know you all have great memories to keep her with you.
Tracey Dalia and Family
March 28, 2017 at 8:20 pm
Dear Charney Family,
We’re so sorry for your loss! What a special woman Jan was! I can hear the words, “Enter in, my good and humble servant!” and so so many on the other side thanking her for how much she had helped them during their time here also! I’m certain it was a glorious reunion! You are all in our thoughts and prayers at this, such a difficult time for us still here. Blessings and Peace, and lots and lots of love.
Always, The Dalia Family
Mary Anne Murphy
March 29, 2017 at 12:33 pm
Dear Dan and Family,
So sorry to learn about Janet’s death. I have many wonderful memories of good times on Charles Street. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers. May God bless you.
With love, Mary Anne
Cindy Marazo
March 29, 2017 at 12:55 pm
Dear Kira and family,
My deepest condolences. Thank you to Mrs. Charney for her life of serving others with such care and compassion. May you all find comfort in your wonderful memories of her.
Kind Regards,
Cindy (Parker at Monroe)
DON AND SUE SOUTHGATE
March 29, 2017 at 3:54 pm
WE ARE SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. YOU BOTH WILL BE IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.
Connie & Walt Mitchell
March 29, 2017 at 6:05 pm
Lifelong friends going back to Grace Church, Kingston choir. A stalwart Episcopalian with a strong, silent faith, Jan brought many folks to Christ by living the Gospel and befriending the forgotten and downtrodden. There is a special place in heaven for her soul. Our sincere sympathies go out to Dan and family.
Mark and Michelle Lee (formerly Michelle Unterreiner)
March 30, 2017 at 7:59 pm
We are so sorry for your loss. I (Michelle) only had the privilege to meet Mr. and Mrs. Charney a few times when Kira was in college; I remember them as loving and beautiful people. Kira and I traveled to Georgia together for PCP&S PT internships. She told me many special stories about her family that are forever treasured. May our Lord comfort you all as a family and close friends in this difficult time! Sending our love and sympathies across state lines as brothers and sisters in Christ.
John Gumpy
March 30, 2017 at 8:09 pm
I just noticed Jan’s obituary notice in the Morning Call. I had forgotten that she was born in early 1939 as I was in late 1938 (October). I was so grateful for her support both during the organ rebuilding as well as during my 16 year tenure as Music Director and Organist at Trinity . She gave unstintingly of her time and talent while I learned the ” ropes” of a High Church Liturgical position. In addition, she smoothed the way for me to work with a number of other gifted musicians. She was always ready to step in and solve problems with grace and dignity, and her inimitable wit and humor.Since I currently reside at an assisted living facility, I’ll be unable to attend the services. Sincerely, John Gumpy
June Bachman
March 31, 2017 at 4:52 pm
So sorry to learn of Jans passing. We served many years on the Pastoral Care Council at Easton Hospital. Jan was my mentor when I first started as Chaplain at the hospital. Enjoyed speaking with her a couple of months ago at Barnes and Noble. Was so surprised to read of her passing. Prayers to Dan and family. I’m sure she will be sorely missed.
June Bachman
Deanna Darress Raffay
April 1, 2017 at 9:00 am
What a shock when I received the email from Cedar Crest College about Jan!
She was so committed to service to CCC.
We were classmates at college. One could always count on Jan being at the reunions, alum councils etc. She was a great class agent.
My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.
Deanna Darress Raffay
Emily Schiller
April 1, 2017 at 12:50 pm
So sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in the words of our Heavenly Father
found in 2 Corinthains 1:3,4, and the hope of the fulfillment of His promise in
Acts 24:15 of the resurrection. With sincere condolences
Jim and Jean Wood
April 2, 2017 at 8:27 am
Dan and family, We are so sorry for your loss. We have many fond memories of working with Jan at Trinity, as well as our friendship outside of church. Jan was truly an asset to the church and it’s members , and always a great friend.
Sending you our deepest sympathy.
Jackie Bahde
April 2, 2017 at 5:50 pm
Sorry for the loss of your Mom, Dave. Sending you and Lorry hugs and prayers.
Margaret G. Schaefer
April 3, 2017 at 12:26 pm
So sorry to hear of Janet’s sudden passing. She was a wonderful friend when we were at Cedar Crest together. Although I graduated from Gettysburg it was always great to hear about what was going on in Janet’s life after our college years. Very sorry out paths did not cross again but I’ll always remember her kind spirit and wonderful sense of humor.
With deep sympathy,
Meg Genrich Schaefer
Karin (Scarpino) Peterson – CCC ’68 –
March 24, 2018 at 10:39 am
Dan and family –
I was so sorry to read of Jan’s passing in my most recent alumnae newsletter from Cedar Crest. I have wonderful memories of Sunday school and singing in the choir at Mediator -you and Jan were such good friends to Jacquie and I when we were at CCC.
You are in my thoughts and prayers –
Karin