tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479792843014892066.post739925654662220622..comments2011-03-17T07:23:41.400-07:00Comments on Janet Hughes Carpenter: Janet Hughes Carpenter, Age 86Karyn Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17900259106102345908noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479792843014892066.post-36484160524527836062011-03-13T05:26:15.267-07:002011-03-13T05:26:15.267-07:00Janet was my mother's age. We moved to Oswego ...Janet was my mother's age. We moved to Oswego when I was not quite 13 and we did not know a single person in town. Being a family of readers, one of the first things my mother did was take us to the library to get cards and familiarize ourselves with it.<br /><br />Janet was so very, very kind to my mama. It was not an easy transition for us to such small town life after many years in Kansas City, but the kindness of people such as Janet, Clara Boulware, Annie Stephens and others made it so much easier for my mama.<br /><br />I have a multitude of memories of afternoons spent in the Oswego Library. It was a safe haven for a young girl so often out of sync with her peers and Janey seemed to understand that and was always ready with a smile and a recommendation for a book she thought I might enjoy.Salzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13536494183660739823noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479792843014892066.post-41913792405664012442011-03-12T16:20:59.359-08:002011-03-12T16:20:59.359-08:00Janet introduced me to the first book I ever check...Janet introduced me to the first book I ever checked out from the library. I don't remember the author, but I will never forget the worn, blue cover and well used pages of "Betsey's Little Star". <br />I recently received and accepted her friend request on facebook. I thought it was so fitting of Janet, that she was keeping up on social networking.<br />Rock Chalk, Janet.Kristi Schreppel Bohannonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479792843014892066.post-16854753995633471922011-03-09T12:09:43.742-08:002011-03-09T12:09:43.742-08:00To me, Janet was an example of beauty, kindness, g...To me, Janet was an example of beauty, kindness, good humor, intelligence and caring on both an individual and community/world scale. I always enjoyed visiting with her about any topic, including politics, and found we usually agreed! I am so grateful she introduced me to her niece, Megan, who has become a dear friend. I will miss Janet's cheery smile, her optimism and her no-nonsense stance for what is good in this world.<br /><br />Robin Oldham<br />Oswego, KSAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479792843014892066.post-80244623026284503712011-03-09T08:46:30.034-08:002011-03-09T08:46:30.034-08:00My most vivid memories of Janet are at the Library...My most vivid memories of Janet are at the Library where I often went as a child. My impression of her as a person formed then, but continued throughout the years as I became an adult. She struck me as being calm and efficient in her work, yet friendly and genuine in her relationships with all those she encountered. One felt she truly viewed them as an individual and really cared what they thought or felt. What a rare quality and one we should all try to emulate. I remember thinking as a child that it was really neat that this special lady had the same first name as me. Janet will be missed so much, but she left an extraordinary legacy that will continue to inspire all those who knew her. Janet KingJanet Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16990584616189619690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479792843014892066.post-7612021590067732192011-03-07T08:00:23.465-08:002011-03-07T08:00:23.465-08:00I found myself thinking of words and phrases that ...I found myself thinking of words and phrases that I would use to describe my Aunt Janet: optimistic and always positive, humble and modest, frugal about her own needs but generous to others, gentle and kind, laughing, interested in everyone, Dr. Pepper lover, loyal to place (such as Oswego, the Carnegie Library, and Kansas) and people (family, friends), creative (whether through photography or stained glass or flowers), pragmatic, proud, and a woman of integrity. She was a loving aunt and role model to me and my cousins. I will miss her very, very much.Reesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479792843014892066.post-16975257015445787892011-03-06T02:16:13.153-08:002011-03-06T02:16:13.153-08:00It was a pleasure to meet Janet when she came to v...It was a pleasure to meet Janet when she came to visit on Bainbridge Island. She was a very interesting person, and had lots of stories about her travels and her life in Kansas. I believe she had a very full and interesting life. I was somewhat surprised to hear she was housepainting in her eighties, but that just demonstrated her wonderful spirit. <br /><br />Ann Woodburn<br />March 6th, 2.15 amAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479792843014892066.post-2205432172360589952011-03-04T13:19:02.019-08:002011-03-04T13:19:02.019-08:00Of those who were instumental in making our childr...Of those who were instumental in making our childrens lives better by their kindness and knowledge Janet stands out among them. My children, my grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews were priviledged with the benefit of having passed through the library with her. I never lacked for conversation topics with Janet. She was interested in the evolution of where technology going but concerned about it at the same time. The last time I talked to her she was excited about my sister's story and was encouraging me to write more. <br /><br /><br />One evening long before Bob's passing we met each other in the park as we were walking discussing what our dreams for the park would be. Janet's dreams all came true for she wanted to see more beatification, new lights suitible for the park,and a new lookout deck (now you know how long ago that may have been)! <br /><br />Janet was an Honorary member of the Oswego Rotary club because she was so proud of what it did for the youth in our community. I loved you Janet and I will miss you.<br /><br />Linda SchreppelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479792843014892066.post-19673145308442691272011-03-04T10:14:02.794-08:002011-03-04T10:14:02.794-08:00While exploring Kenya, Janet and Bob and their fri...While exploring Kenya, Janet and Bob and their friends visited my Peace Corps site at the school where I taught. It was so nice to see people from home even though I was meeting them for the first time. Later, when I returned home and stayed in Oswego for a while, Janet invited me to speak at the arts club and made me feel so welcome. <br /><br />Last July, my daughters (Chloe, 15, and Talia, 12) and I went with my mom (Corinne) to "Pie Day." I was so happy to see Janet there. She was very easy to talk to, and I am glad that my daughters met her. She was a good friend to my mother, and she will be missed.<br /><br />Anne GraueAGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15537705835544377210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479792843014892066.post-74860385071002154642011-03-04T09:20:52.911-08:002011-03-04T09:20:52.911-08:00Thinking of Janet brings millions of thoughts to m...Thinking of Janet brings millions of thoughts to mind and I just would know where to begin. This is part of what was posted on the Kansas Librarians Listserv. Not enough room for more.<br />In reading all the things about Libraries and digital books, etc. I think of Janet and how she brought our library into the future. She worked to automate OPL in 1991-1992 and brought those non-books items, VHS movies, (gasp!!!) into the Library to get those non-readers through our doors. Our community has lost a great soul and volunteer and for myself a mentor.lizhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09647660353612747081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479792843014892066.post-54688834750812536032011-03-04T08:31:44.705-08:002011-03-04T08:31:44.705-08:00I didn't know Janet, but the picture on the b...I didn't know Janet, but the picture on the blog shows shows the face of a lovely, bright woman, sturdily self-possessed and instantly likeable. Judging from what you have said about her, she managed to lead a pretty good life and to orchestrate a pretty good death. We can all hope to have the same said about us.<br /> <br /> With heartfelt sympathy,<br /> <br /> JimAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479792843014892066.post-75463670563499417532011-03-03T10:13:28.397-08:002011-03-03T10:13:28.397-08:00Janet Carpenter was a woman who cared about the pa...Janet Carpenter was a woman who cared about the patrons of her library and the members of her community. <br /><br />She had a big influence of my life at a very young age. Her love for books and politics was obvious to everyone and she was a joy to discuss both with.<br /><br />Mrs. Carpenter was the epitome of class. Thanks to her many hours of volunteer work this community is a better place. She will be missed by many.Heather Brownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479792843014892066.post-3925404035199684202011-03-03T09:26:03.241-08:002011-03-03T09:26:03.241-08:00Oswego has lost a pillar of the community.
More ...Oswego has lost a pillar of the community.<br /> <br />More of the proverbial 'torch' is past and those shoes will be difficult to fill. <br /><br />The collective community memories of the Janet and the family will be many. But perhaps the lasting legacy, at least for me, is that of the lives touched as Oswego Librarian. <br />At least 3 generations, two of mine, learned various and sundry bits of information, history, stories, proper research methods, cataloging and on an on. And Hey, that's from someone who didn't really pay all of that much attention. All of my kids used the Library and picked up on Janet's helpfulness, knowledge and wisdom. What a great legacy.Tom Bringlehttp://bringlerealestate.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479792843014892066.post-78915345799949871272011-03-03T08:27:25.757-08:002011-03-03T08:27:25.757-08:00I remember her visits here on Bainbridge Island. N...I remember her visits here on Bainbridge Island. Not to look good, or to hang out at Rotary, but to help you with painting your place. And she was already in her eighties! While I am not sure how much paint work truly got done, just the idea of having your mom help with that chore was quite outrageous!Sabine Pricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06787886376898961277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479792843014892066.post-86473987490267799802011-03-03T08:04:33.147-08:002011-03-03T08:04:33.147-08:00Janet was amazing and a role model for us that gre...Janet was amazing and a role model for us that grew up in Oswego. I'll never forget her wonderful smile.Penny Johnston Rousseaunoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479792843014892066.post-10547148811151286292011-03-03T07:57:43.445-08:002011-03-03T07:57:43.445-08:00Janet was one of the most special women I've e...Janet was one of the most special women I've ever known. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with her on the Parks Foundation. She is hard working, never complains, always has a wonderful smile and some funny comment to make the rest of us smile too. I just love her dearly. She was so precious to me. What a difference she's made in my life!Cheri Blackledge Peinenoreply@blogger.com