Janet Donaldson 1936-2024

She was born in North Jackson, April 6, 1936, to Walter and Mary Miller. Janet was a graduate of Jackson-Milton High School, Class of 1954. She furthered her education at Hiram College, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in music education. Upon graduation in 1958, she began teaching music at Howland Local Schools.

Janet met and married Donald A. Donaldson on Dec 27, 1958. They had five children before divorcing in 1975. She then returned to teaching and taught for 30 years at Jackson-Milton Local Schools. She provided music education for K-12 and also headed the drama department, where she produced a number of plays and musicals. Later in life, she returned to Youngstown State University, obtaining a master’s degree in music education.

She championed her love of music for over 50 years through all her private music students. She was an organist for First Federated Church in North Jackson, where she was also a member. Janet played organ and piano for church services and also provided music for funerals, weddings and special events for 42 years.

Janet was a woman who loved to be surrounded by flowers, particularly violets, catching an afternoon baseball game and a vanilla milkshake. She was a proud educator who believed in education, as seen in her teaching, and her support of her alumni associations and Mahoning County 4-H.

She also adored her family home in North Jackson, where she was born and raised. She believed in and supported her community, always kept up to date on everyone’s comings and goings, and enjoyed traveling after retirement. Like her mother before her, who was also a teacher, she touched so many lives.

Mostly though, Janet loved the arts, music and family, and it is the sound of her piano and organ on Sunday mornings that her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will miss the most. Her music will live on through her many students.

Janet is survived by her children, Walt (Susan) Donaldson of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Maggie Donaldson of Mooresville, North Carolina, Donald L. Donaldson of Wintersville, Kathy (Kelly) Hall of Mooresville, North Carolina, and Jeff (Lisa) Donaldson of Canfield; her grandchildren, Zachariah, Samantha (Jeremy), Chad, Katelin (Jimmy), Reagan, Mary Morgan, Emily (Nathan) and Josh (Sarah); her great-grandchildren, Maggie, Gabriel, Cailin, John and Jordan; and her niece, Amy (Peter) Friedli.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Kathleen Brooks; and brother, Lorin (Ike) Miller.

Calling hours will be 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, at Lane Funeral Home in Austintown.

The funeral service will begin at noon Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, at First Federated Church, 10786 Mahoning Ave., North Jackson, followed by a private service at the cemetery for her family. She will be buried in Ellsworth Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, her wish was to have donations made to First Federated Church, North Jackson.

To leave condolences to the family, please visit www.lanefuneralhomes.com.

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