Janet Leininger Onkey, a longtime resident of Huntsville, passed away peacefully the morning of December 8th. She was 94.
Janet was born September 12, 1926 in Rochester, upstate New York, and graduated from Sea Cliff High School on Long Island, New York, where she was valedictorian of her senior class. Janet’s first marriage, to Charles Kingdon Major, ended in 1962, after which she not only completed her bachelor’s degree, while working and raising her young son, but went on to earn a master’s degree in early childhood education. She then taught second grade on Long Island for several years before remarrying, and relocating with her son, to Oakville, Ontario, Canada, just outside Toronto, in 1969.
Janet is survived by her son, Jonathan C. Major; daughter-in-law, Jane Brufladt Major; granddaughters, Laura M. Koelbel (Walter) and Katie M. Gordon (Matthew); six great-grandchildren; step-granddaughter, Malene (Henning); three step-great-grandchildren; niece, Janet Young; nephew, John Young; and grand-nephew, James Young. Janet was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert (Bob) L. Onkey, stepson, Robert T. Onkey, her parents, Ivan Earl and Mabelle Leininger, and older sister, Jean Young and her husband, James Young.
Janet was a strong, independent, and beautiful woman, never afraid to express her view on any subject, particularly in politics and family affairs. She loved and was devoted to her son, daughter-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, niece, and nephew, even with all of them living many miles distant from Huntsville. She always enjoyed her weekly calls to catch up on family goings on.
Janet relocated to Huntsville from Oakville, Ontario, Canada in 1980 with her husband Bob, who as self-employed and had chosen Huntsville as a new market for his business. Janet went to work at Redstone Arsenal in civil service in finance and accounting and then moved into the Stinger Project Office as a Program Analyst, where she served for several years before retiring in 1991. She loved her work and her co-workers.
During her 40 years in Huntsville, she made many good, enduring, friends and was an active member of Hope Presbyterian Church, where she will be remembered as a welcoming, friendly face, active in weekly church services, and an acolyte trainer for member’s children.
Janet never met a stranger, and loved spending time visiting with her many friends, gardening, taking dance classes, being involved with church activities, keeping up with current events and politics, receiving news of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, listening to classical music, reading, and in years past, talking on the phone with her sister Jean.
A socially distanced memorial service in Janet’s honor will be held at Laughlin Service Funeral Home, 2320 Bob Wallace Ave., Huntsville, Alabama 35805, Friday, December 11th, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be private, with close family at Maple Hill Cemetery following the memorial service.
