Janet Wallans

Janet Wallans, 82, passed away on Saturday, August 16th at St. Mary’s Home in West Hartford, Ct. Janet, who lived most of her life in Hartford, was predeceased by her parents, Helen and Sam Wallans and her brother, Michael. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Marty, who lives in North Carolina and by her many friends. Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, Janet moved to Hartford when she was ten. Janet attended Weaver High School, graduating in the class of 1960, and subsequently graduated from Connecticut College for Women.

When she was in her late teens, Janet developed a condition that left her blind by the time she was 20. In spite of that loss of vision, Janet led a remarkable life as a fiercely independent person and was active in her synagogue and other organizations until she was 80. A member of The Emanuel Synagogue choir, she was also the chair of the Social Action committee at the synagogue. She co-chaired B’Yadenu, the social action committee that focused on aiding refugees and was a representative on the social justice task force and the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford. In addition, Janet was a member of a commission advising the city of Hartford on services for people with disabilities and was involved in the volunteer action center at United Way. Committed to holding her high school and college friends together, she was very involved in planning and attending all her class reunions. It was hard to believe that Janet was disabled as she made her way to so many activities in the area, as well as to conventions held in Washington, DC.

Janet’s funeral will be graveside at the Beth Hillel Cemetery 80 Wolcott Rd., East Granby, Ct. at 1:00P.M. on Tuesday, August 19. The funeral will be followed by an informal “Shiva” at The Emanuel Synagogue, 160 Mohegan Drive, West Hartford. In lieu of flowers, please consider giving a donation in Janet’s name to The Emanuel Synagogue, to Jewish Family Services of Greater Hartford, to the Jewish Braille Institute in New York or to any charity of your choice.