Let us celebrate the life of a sweet, wonderful woman, Janet Kear Friedman, who passed away peacefully with family at her side on December 26, 2024. Janet was loved by so many for her outgoing, joyful nature, dedication to friends and family, kindness, her wonderful sense of humor, and her boundless energy. Nothing ever stopped her. She was an adventurous world traveler, a hiker, gardener, avid reader, a lovable social butterfly, and a dedicated volunteer with Big Sisters, Friends of Mount Tam, Marin Theater Company, Marin Charitable, and Pan Am World Wings. Most of all she was a wonderful mother and grandmother.
Janet grew up in Bristol, England, lived in France, and worked for the British Film Institute before coming to the United States in 1968 to become a flight attendant for Pan American Airlines. Crewing for Pan Am was highly prized and exciting in those days as the boom in international travel was just beginning. Like other Pan Am international flight crew alumni, Janet was well suited for that work because it required quick thinking in challenging conditions, multilingual skill, teamwork, good people skills, toughness, and stamina to work long hours across time zones. During the Vietnam war, Pan Am charter crews ferried R&R troops in and out of Vietnam, and later rescued orphans on the last flights out as the war ended.
For Janet the benefits of working for Pan Am included free world travel with family, fun layovers in exotic places, amazing stories, camaraderie, and bonds of friendship lasting long after she retired. Janet was a World Wings Marin chapter president and served on the board of directors of the Pan Am World Wings International, a worldwide fraternal and philanthropic organization of ex-Pan Am flight attendants. Janet loved living in Marin, particularly the hiking trails of Mount Tam. When not hiking with her friends, Janet regularly entertained and guided others as a docent at the mountain top visitor center.
Janet’s greatest joy was being with family in England, Australia, and the States. She was adored by her sister Vicky Chatham and her nephews Jack and Oliver; her brother Larry Kear and his wife Jacqui; her daughter Rebecca and husband Jay Diola; her son Michael; husband Ken who has loved her since the day they met 54 years ago; and in a very special way by her granddaughter Eadie Mae Diola. Janet shall always be remembered for living life to the fullest, for her beautiful smile, and her ability to bring joy to friends, family and particularly to children. The world has lost a beautiful soul, an angel. A remembrance celebration is being planned for Janet. Her family will also announce how donations to help others can be made, as Janet wished.
Author: gqlshare
https://www.marinij.com/obituaries/janet-kear-friedman-mill-valley-ca/