Janet Catherine Lennon Obituary (2025)

Janet Catherine Lennon passed away peacefully at her home in Yakima, Washington, on July 5, 2025, surrounded by her family and loved ones. She lived a full and meaningful life of 91 years. Janet was born in Cleveland, Ohio, the eldest of four children to Herbert and Thelma Nickel. She is preceded in death by her parents and her brother Ronald and is survived by her sisters Sharon Nelson and Bonnie Donnelly, both of Butte, Montana. At a young age, Janet moved with her family to Richfield, Minnesota, where she attended elementary through high school. As a teen, she worked at Dairyland, an ice cream and candy parlor, and at the local movie theater. Despite her initial objections, she relocated with her family to Normandy Park, Washington, and graduated from Highline High School in 1952. She inherited her love of music from her mother, Thelma, playing the piano and actively participating in her school choir. She was a loving big sister to Ron, Sharon, and Bonnie. After high school, Janet began working as a telephone operator for American Telephone and Telegraph (AT&T) in Seattle, where she quickly earned promotions and recognition for her strong work ethic. She met her future husband, James "Jim" Lennon, at "The Plunge," a dance hall on Angle Lake near SeaTac Airport. Janet made the first move--asking Jim to dance--and so began a courtship that led to 70 years of marriage. After marrying in 1955, she embraced her next great calling: motherhood to five boys born in quick succession. Janet left her position at AT&T to take on the demanding and rewarding role of Chief Family Officer. She managed home economics, transportation, discipline, and scheduling for her active household, earning the unofficial title of World's Best Mom. She was also deeply involved in her community--teaching CCD at church, serving as president of the PTA, and bowling in a local women's league with close friends. As her children grew, Janet returned to the workforce as an evening telephone operator at Valley Medical Center in Renton, Washington. She advanced steadily, eventually becoming the office administrator for the hospital's radiology department. Throughout these years, she remained a highly involved mom--ferrying her sons to sporting events, organizing family camping trips, and maintaining a warm but structured home life, occasionally invoking the classic warning: "Wait until your father gets home!" In 1998, Janet and Jim retired to the Yakima Valley, near their beloved property on the Naches River, where they had spent many weekends and longer stays, especially during hunting season. Their home was a peaceful retreat with beautifully landscaped gardens and a backyard pond that hosted fish, ducks, birds, and the occasional turtle. They enjoyed frequent drives through the scenic Cascade Mountains and welcomed regular visits from children and grandchildren. Jim and Janet were also avid RV travelers, exploring the western United States together in their travel trailers and motorhomes. Janet is survived by her beloved husband Jim; her sisters Sharon Nelson and Bonnie Donnelly (both of Butte, MT); her five sons: Steve, Tom (Julie), Dan (Cheryl), Gary, and Dave (Debbie); six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Mass at Holy Family Chapel on Friday, August 8th, at 10:00am. Celebration of Life Reception following in the Father Murtagh Hall. Brookside Funeral Home is caring for the family. Memories and condolences may be shared at: www.brooksidefuneral.com