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Janet L. Waanders, age 81, passed away on May 31, 2024, at the Quadrangle in Ardmore, PA. She handled a long illness with grace and strength and was surrounded by love until the end. Before moving to Pennsylvania, Janet was a long-time resident of Piscataway, NJ., where she raised two daughters with her husband, David. She was a dedicated member of First Reformed Church in New Brunswick. She sang in the church choir, served as an elder, co-led an ongoing concert series, and contributed home-made food to many potluck dinners and coffee hours. Her Christian faith was evident in the kind way that she interacted with everyone she met. Janet grew up in Holland, Michigan. She moved East to attend Barnard College and later earned a master’s degree in English Literature at Rutgers University. She had a long career as a test developer at Educational Testing Service in Princeton, NJ. She enjoyed the intellectual challenge of her work and the warm connections she formed with colleagues at ETS and around the country. Janet will be remembered for her gentle, generous, loving nature, and her devotion as a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend to many. She loved making and listening to music and reading literature ranging from poetry to classic novels to mysteries. She reveled in nature, traveling, swimming, and boating. She enjoyed spending time with friends, including her yoga group and book club. She loved adventure and was a wonderful guide in NYC for any visitors passing through NJ. She was known for her adventurous side in the kitchen as well! Janet was predeceased by her parents and her dear husband of 50 years, David. She is survived by her daughter, Christine Waanders, and son-in-law, Ivan Haskell; her daughter, Emily Sena, and son-in-law, Adam Sena; her grandchildren, Evan Sena, Aliece Sena, Nicholas Haskell, and Julian Haskell; her sister, Elizabeth DuMez; her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Gerald and Harriet Waanders; her nephews, Alex DuMez, Tim DuMez, Jason Waanders, and their families. Memorial gifts may be made to the National Endowment for the Arts (https://www.arts.gov/about/make-a-donation-online) or the New Brunswick Theological Seminary (https://nbts.edu/donate/). The Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, June 22, at 11:00 a.m. at New Brunswick Theological Seminary, 35 Seminary Place, New Brunswick, NJ.

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Janet L. Waanders

December 29, 1942 - May 31, 2024