Wednesday, June 14, 2023
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In Honor of the Amazing Mrs.Janet Taylor Staskel
Born 1939. Given her wings June 9, 2023
This is from one of Mom’s dear cousins from California, Susane who truly wishes she was here.
To this lovely family, Bill, her husband and the love of her life, her children, son; Rob and daughter; Veronica; and these grandson’s (that gave her such joy and pride), Ryan and Tyler … Thank you for sharing my love for your Wife - Mom - Grandma and fearless friend.
So, how is it that this woman, often separated by time zones and miles; would become one of my most cherished “cousins' '? It actually started at the Santa Anita Race Track when I met Bill in the 80’s. The Berger-Taylor connection was her Grandmother. Dad and Mom would often see Janet when they went East for business and the relationships were strong. But back to the day at the races. While we enjoyed the horses from the stand with a lovely lunch, Bill and I quickly fell into conversations about his wife and family, the adventures they had in bringing up Veronica and Rob, how these two filled their lives with joy and challenges … including the fall from the tree (or was it a roof Rob?) and Veronica’s love of books (she is SO SMART, he would say)! What I loved most was the story of how Bill met the prettiest girl in the room and had the honor of capturing her heart to make her his wife … this still makes me smile.
I know Janet to be one of the kindest and generous people I’ve known. Most of her wealth was not in gifts but in words and acts of prayers, laughter and thank you messages for the smallest of things. She always had awareness that each of us only have so much time on this side of heaven and she lived each one with her very unique style. Her volunteer work with the hospital for over 25+ years made her a favorite of staff, doctors and patients equally. When it was time, when she needed care; they treated her like royalty.
And then my personal adventures of connecting with Janet began. She traveled to California a few times with Bill and they always shared time with us, most often she and I in the kitchen. I loved to cook and she loved the odd things I’d pull together, always delighting me with “you’re the best chef ever!” Some of the best Outings were the front row seats at the Giants and NY game (she heckled the teams) or possibly the dinner at the top of the St. Francis for my birthday with Bob. We loved going to Carmel for trips to the beach (my god she loved the beach) and then the visits when we moved briefly to New Jersey where we celebrated Thanksgiving with all of her siblings; it was such a joy to see them all and listen to their stories. It’s always fun to have versions of the same thing and easy giggles on what each one claimed. Living on the east coast was great with a Bonus; I could actually drive to her. Let’s throw in her visit with her cousin Wynn to Disneyland! She fell in love with Palm Trees of all sizes and insisted on having pictures by about 50 of them before she realized that there were thousands and they really didn’t look that much different! But the shots with the Mouse ears were a giggle for some time. There was not a moment lost when she was in the mix
If I were to calculate the calls made between Bob and Janet during his illness I’d safely be under-estimating if I say 1,500. And these were rich as I oftentimes listened to the exchange ranging from current affairs to off limit politics to medicines and drugs. They’d compare notes and laugh about the times past and the journey’s their lives took together. She was a great support to him and I love her for each call she made. In return, when he got his wings, she turned to me and Wynn for weekly calls and always loved us from afar. I will deeply miss this time with her and the “what are you cooking” and “how do you make it so easy”. I love this woman and am better because she was in this world.
How this woman loved her life and kept it simple, it was her northstar to be the best in the moment she was in and never expected to climb high mountains but she did marvel in the beauty around her. She always ended every call with a I love YOU and prayers for those I loved who were struggling. In her 30’s-50’s her greatest excursion was to get in the car, drive to the water and sit in the sun, snacking often on the bagels and lox or a cup of soup she’d get along the way.
She has the wings of a special angel and I’m confident there will be a celebration upon her arrival as God has made a place for her to still look in on all of us and sending us her prayers from afar.
We will always love you Janet and have you in our hearts.
