Janet Reich

Janet Waltemyer Reich, 90, died peacefully July 9, 2017 at Legacy Hopewell House in Portland, Oregon after a short but courageous battle with a meningioma. The youngest of three daughters, Janet was born August 5, 1926 in Mt. Wolf, Pennsylvania to Charles Adam Waltemyer and Virgie Routson Waltemyer. The three sisters (Dorothy, Ruth, and Janet) shared a life-long close relationship, and in later years were lovingly (and with some awe) referred to by their respective husbands as “the Waltemyer women.” Janet grew up in Mt. Wolf, and enjoyed cheerleading during middle school and a wide range of activities and clubs in high school. At the end of the World War II, one of her friends insisted that Janet should “meet my brother Jack,” a recently returned U.S. Army veteran, and thus she met the love of her life, Jack Reich. She and Jack were married in 1947, a love story that lasted until Jack’s death in 2003. Jack and Janet were inseparable and owned the “J & J Grocery” in York, Pennsylvania until Jack entered civil service. Janet became a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and worked for the Lutheran Home for the Aged. Jack civil service career led them tin 1965 to San Antonio, Texas, where Janet resided until 2016. Janet’s career in nursing flourished. While in San Antonio she attended Southwest Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas and became a Registered Nurse (RN), and had a lengthy career with Southwest Texas Methodist Hospital, ending her career as one of the area’s leading cardiac nursing educators. Standing under five feet tall, Janet was a force to be reckoned with. She lived her life with a sense of purpose, held strong convictions, and had a huge love of family. She was happiest when spending time with her grandchildren, or taking advantage of a good jewelry sale at North Star Mall, or enjoying one of Jack’s famous margaritas. A rabid San Antonio Spurs fan, she and her best friend, Louise Lund, reveled in watching their beloved Spurs destroy other NBA teams. A love of travel included trips to Japan, Hong Kong, Hawaii, Mexico, and numerous visits to Las Vegas, Nevada. She was proud of her Pennsylvania Dutch heritage, with scrapple, Pennsylvania Dutch pot pie, cornstarch pudding, and red beet eggs being culinary specialties – her daughter’s boyfriends never left the house hungry. Janet is survived by her daughter, Jacquie Smith, and son-in-law, Michael Smith; grandsons Mahlon and Justin Smith and their spouses, Nadine and Yarissa; great-grandchildren Naia and Josie Smith, and Mateo Smith-Gonzalez; numerous beloved nieces and nephews; and many great nieces and great nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents Charles and Virgie Waltemyer; sisters Dorothy Murphy and Ruth Donsen and husband, Jack Reich. A family Celebration of Life will be held at Fort Sam Houston Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas, where Janet will be interred with her beloved Jack. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Attrell’s Funeral Chapels, Sherwood, Oregon and Porter Loring Mortuary North, San Antonio, Texas. Memorial gifts may be made to Legacy Hopewell House Hospice, 6171 Southwest Capitol Highway, Portland, OR 97239.

Janet Reich

August 5, 1926 - July 9, 2017