Janet Ruth Terner, dedicated to science

Janet Ruth Terner, 83, died Saturday, April 17, 2021 after a long illness.

She is survived by daughters Jessica Terner and Michele Terner, and granddaughter Katherine Byrnes, all of Virginia.

A native of Reading Pa., Janet entered Shimer College in Mt. Carroll, Ill., at age 16 to participate in the innovative Great Books Program, now an international educational initiative. Janet graduated with a bachelor of science degree in history of science and then earned a master’s degree in history of science from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. She began her government career at the Library of Congress as a reference librarian where she edited and compiled bibliographic reference works including biographical sources in the sciences. She later served under Dr. Anthony Fauci at the National Institutes of Health as a program analyst for many years.

Ms. Terner continued a lifelong interest in science. As a parent, she was an advocate of Adlerian Psychology and became a member of the American Society of Adlerian Psychology, and was aided by Rudolf Dreikurs, the major disciple of Alfred Adler, in 1969 in founding the Individual Psychology Association of Greater Washington. She became involved there as a study group leader and a symposium chairman. She co-authored the book “The Courage to be Imperfect: The Life and Work of Rudolf Dreikurs," a prominent 20th Century proponent of Positive Discipline in child development.

Retiring to Milton in 2002, Janet was active on town committees and in the early years of The Milton Arts Guild. She was a member of The Women’s Club of Milton. As a member of Seaside Jewish Community, she was active in adult education both as a presenter and as a student. An avid fine art photographer and traveler, Janet shared her talent and love of art through her camera lens. Her photographs of Delaware, architecture, and nature have won numerous prizes. Her local Delaware photographs have been hung in the Milton Town Hall for many years. She will be deeply missed by loving family and friends.

Memories are welcome at: dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/silver-spring-md/janet-terner-10157122.