Janet McKelvey

Janet Alleen McKelvey passed away in her home surrounded by family and friends on Sunday, June 28, 2015 after suffering from heart failure. Her Iowan spirit got her to 80 years of age. Janet was born on November 18, 1934, in her grandmother’s home in Rolfe, Iowa, the only child of Allen Pirie Heathman and Vera Naomi Heathman (Seaman). In 1952, Janet graduated from the Armstrong, Iowa High school. While in high school, she participated as a treasurer, was in the Glee club, and active in the student senate. She played basketball and became the team’s captain. Musically talented, Janet played the flute and the French horn in the school band, and played the piano at home. Janet had the distinction of being the only woman who lettered all four years at Armstrong, and in 8th grade at the Plover, Iowa school. After high school, she briefly attended nursing school at the University of Iowa. While a nursing student, she met a pharmacy student, Brick McKelvey. Janet and Brick were married in Armstrong, Iowa in 1954. They moved to Brick’s home town of Rawlins, Wyoming, where they started their family. In 1958, they moved to Eugene, Oregon, where Brick took a job, and Janet stayed home to raise their children. Following their divorce in 1963, Janet continued raising her children, while attending school and working at a variety of medical clerical jobs. In 1971, she and her children moved to Corvallis, Oregon, where she continued working to provide for her family. Janet bought her home in 1976, which brought her great pride. Janet had a great love for outdoor adventures. She enjoyed riding horses in Iowa, trout fishing in Wyoming, and steelhead fishing in Oregon. Some of her favorite summers were spent commercial-fishing with a friend for salmon out of Newport, Oregon. She was a birder and enjoyed identifying the ones that frequented her bird feeders. Flower gardening was yet another passion; she was particularly fond of irises. She was a strong supporter of environmental causes. Janet liked a challenge and she always appreciated a worthy opponent. She loved cards, and rarely lost. Her stubbornness presented challenges for those around her as she insisted on doing things “her” way. Janet had a lifelong love of music. She enjoyed listening to jazz and classical music. She continued to play classical piano into her later years. It was a real pleasure to hear her play, with the occasional “click-click-click” of her fingernails as she touched the keys. Janet was preceded in death by her parents. Janet is survived by her Aunt Sue in Wisconsin, several cousins in Iowa, sister-in-law Pam Neuman in Oregon, sons Paul and Mark in Oregon, her daughter Denise in Washington, one grandson Nathan, three granddaughters Nicole, Michelle, and Karlyn, and one great-grandson Connor. The family wishes to thank her caregivers for their compassion, patience, and support during her last year of convalescence. And most especially, we thank Tammie, her live-in caregiver for making it possible for Janet to remain at her home. In honor of Janet, a gravesite service will be held at 1 pm at the Clinton-Garfield cemetery in Rolfe, Iowa on July 8th, and a memorial gathering in Corvallis, Oregon on July 19th. Donations can be made to a cardiac research for the prevention of heart disease.

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Janet McKelvey

November 18, 1934 - June 28, 2015