Janet Hazle Canty, age 88, passed away on Sunday, Sept.22, 2024 following a stroke; it is not surprising that she passed on the Autumnal Equinox. .Jan was born in New London, Connecticut on November 28, 1935, to Hazle (Goyette) and William Canty.

Jan’s life can be broken into many areas of service: teacher, leader, mentor, and friend.

Jan graduated from Lake Erie College in 1957 with a B.A. in Art History and a certificate in Health and Physical Education. Following graduation, she taught PE in Little Valley Central School and Miss Porter’s School for Girls. She moved to Colorado and worked for Wagon Wheel Council of Girl Scouts in Colorado Springs as camp director of Sky High Ranch in Woodland Park Colorado. From Colorado, her travels brought her to Wisconsin and Black Hawk Council of Girl Scouts (now Badgerland Council). Jan directed Camp Black Hawk for 10 years and subsequently was coordinator of outdoor programming and properties within the council. At the age of 51, she decided to switch careers and returned to school to earn a degree in Nursing from Edgewood College. She worked in the nursing profession at Oakwood Village West, Waunakee Manor and as a private duty nurse.

Jan described herself as a music lover, astrology buff, a builder and traveler; she was truly a jack of all trades. Jan was a member of First United Methodist Church in Madison and actively participated in the life of the congregation. She and her life-friend Carolyn were also members of P.E.O. and spent many years volunteering with the Madison Herb Society, American Girl Doll restoration and more. Janet read extensively about and practiced alternative medicine/natural health.

Jan was predeceased by her parents, two older sisters Therese and Patricia and her life-friend of over 40 years, Carolyn Anderson.

Jan is survived by her nieces Maree Gannaway and Renee Jones as well as her nephew, Marc Crane and his spouse, Joy. Additionally, she will be missed by her TEAM JAN (friends of hers for the past 50 years) who helped care for her in the last 3 years of her life: Mimi Millen, Jeanne Sears, Teresa Sprecher, Cathie Easter, and Susan Fischer.

Special thanks to Oak Park Place East for their care of Jan in her two years of residence.

A celebration of Jan’s life will be held on Wednesday, November 13 from 1-3 pm in the Warner Park Community Center, 1625 Northport Drive in Madison. There will be ample opportunity for all to share stories and memories… and some camp songs. We hope you will join us to remember this amazing person and celebrate her life.

Contributions in Jan’s memory can be made to Badgerland Council of Girl Scouts of Wisconsin to be earmarked for camperships to help girls experience the joy of going to camp.

Jan’s remains will be interred at Oak Grove Cemetery in La Crosse later.

Janet Canty

November 28, 1935 - September 22, 2024

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