Janet Kathryn (Southworth) Parker, age 82, of Marcellus, passed away early Tuesday morning, April 16, 2019. Janet was born in Kalamazoo on January 12, 1937, the daughter of Maynard N. and Marie R. (Mitchell) Southworth.
On June 26, 1955, Janet married Ralph W. Parker in Schoolcraft at the First Presbyterian Church. Together, they had nine children: Beth (Robert) Dyer of Lawton, Anne Goodrich of Sedona, AZ, Laura Parker of Columbus, OH, Susan Parker (Stanley) Dahm of Dowagiac, Jeanne Parker of Marcellus, Julia (Joseph) Helisek of Farmington Hills, David (Rebecca) Parker of Farmington Hills, Jonathan (Lisa) Parker Birmingham, MI, and Andrew (Malika) Parker of Madison, WI, who survive.
Janet is survived by eleven grandchildren, seven great- grandchildren, two brothers: David (Cindy) Southworth of Florida and Dale Southworth of Georgia, several cousins, and many nieces and nephews.
She attended Western Michigan University before raising her children on the family farm and vineyard. She helped her nine children through a total of 52 years of college as a whole. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed listening to the Boston Symphony because her granddaughter played the French horn for them.
Janet is preceded in death by both loving parents: Maynard N. and Marie R. (Mitchell) Southworth.
The family would like to welcome friends for visitation on Friday, April 19th, 2019, at Mater-Ralston Funeral Home in Marcellus from 4 to 6 PM, with the funeral service to be held on Saturday, April 20, 2019 at 11 AM at Mater-Ralston Funeral Home, with burial to follow at Schoolcraft Cemetery. Memorial donations may be directed to Donor’s Choice. Online condolences may be left at www.materralstonfuneralhome.com.