Janet C. Brockway – Obituary

by Lynn McMillen
0 comment

 Janet C. Brockway, of Huntsville, Alabama, peacefully passed away on Tuesday, January 10, while surrounded by her family at home, one week before her 84th birthday.

Janet was born in Van Buren, Arkansas. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Oklahoma A & M University (now OSU) in Stillwater, Oklahoma. She married Stanley J. Brockway on May 23, 1954 in El Reno, Oklahoma. While living in Tulsa, OK, she earned the 1958 Douglas Employees Recreational Association Ladies’ Pistol Championship. They moved to Huntsville, Alabama in 1963, where she completed her family of five children before returning to her profession as an educator. She worked at the First Christian Church preschool and kindergarten while also earning a Master’s degree in Special Education (learning disabilities) from UAH. She then was employed by the Huntsville City School System for many years working as a special education teacher at Lakewood Elementary School, and in 1983, earned an award from the Association for Children with Learning Disabilities, Inc. Following retirement from the school system, she devoted herself in part to volunteer work. She earned the honor of “Volunteer of the Year” with what is now the Adult Learning Center in Huntsville, as well as serving as a volunteer tutor to Weatherly Heights Elementary School as recently as 2015. Jan was an active member of the Fidelis Alpha Chapter of the retired teacher’s sorority, Alpha Delta Kappa, serving as president-elect in 2015-2016, and had begun serving as the chapter president for the 2016-2017 term. She was an active member of a bridge group that began in the 1960s. Jan had been an active member of First Christian Church, Huntsville, for 53 years. She served as an elder with FCC and was also closely involved in the development and implementation of the children’s ministry. Janet was a long-time art student of Mrs. Barbara Miller, enjoying drawing and painting, and had works specially commissioned by family and friends. Janet also traveled internationally with her husband, frequently including her children and grandchildren on their excursions. Janet was immensely proud of her four grandchildren, and devotedly supported and faithfully attended their many artistic and athletic pursuits, as she had done with her five children before them.

She was known for her humor, caring, giving, and positive attitude toward the community, and was loved by many.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jeff and Ruth Roady, and her sisters, Margaret Lin and Frances Roady.

She is survived by her husband of almost 63 years, Stanley Brockway; her daughters, Julie Arisco (Johnny) of Beaumont, Texas, Nancy Standeffer (Bill) of Tuscaloosa, Pamela Clasgens (Brad), Melanie Felker; son, Joe Brockway (Christa), all of Huntsville; her grandchildren, Christy Clasgens, Janie Clasgens, Jacob Brockway, and Sarah Brockway; brother, Charles Roady (Dolores) of Nipomo, CA; nephews, David and John Lin, Charles Roady and Dan Brockway (Julia); nieces, Laura Waites (Jerry), Denise Lewis (Vince), Krista Hembree (Brian), and Suzanne Roady; and in-laws, T.K. Lin, Toni and Hessel Purdy, Jean Brockway, and Lynn Raines.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, January 13 at Laughlin Service Funeral Home, 2320 Bob Wallace Ave. SW, 35805. The funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, January 14 at First Christian Church of Huntsville at 3209 Whitesburg Dr., 35802, with the Rev. Dr. Cameron Douglas officiating.  Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to First Christian Church of Huntsville or a favorite charity.

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Related Posts

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.