Janet Taulane, loving mother, grandmother
Janet Taulane, 82, of Rehoboth Beach, formerly of Dover and Harrington, passed away peacefully with her family by her side Saturday, April 17, 2021. She was born to the late Ernest Smith and Emma Parker.
Janet was a graduate of Harrington High School where she was a majorette and field hockey athlete. She was so proud of her senior year field hockey season where she and her teammates were not only undefeated but unscored upon as well. Janet was an active member of the Harrington High School Alumni Association, and thoroughly enjoyed the monthly luncheons with her classmates.
Janet spent her younger adult years as a stay-at-home mom and enjoyed gardening, canning, freezing, cake decorating and sewing. She also enjoyed entertaining her friends and their families in her home. She planned and executed parties that included theme-based meals, decorations, costumes, cocktails, and arts and crafts for the children. In her free time, Janet was involved with a community-based theater guild where she made costumes for the performers, created decorations for the set, and performed in many dance acts, with the can-can dance being her favorite.
Janet started her tenure with the state of Delaware at the Delaware Division of Libraries in 1979, where she worked for approximately seven years, and finished her years of service at the Smyrna School District where she proudly served as the administrative assistant to the superintendent before retiring in 2004. Upon retirement, she happily moved to Rehoboth Beach where she was able to build her dream home with the perfect water view. She was an avid reader, volunteer and caregiver; however, her most prized retirement activity was her worldwide traveling excursions. She spent hours planning the ideal places to visit, sites to see, and activities to do. Two of her favorites include her trip to South America around Cape Horn and her cruise on the Baltic Sea.
In addition to her parents, Janet was preceded in death by her devoted stepmother, Virginia Smith; her stepsister, Lelia Matthews; her great-nephew, Michael Miller; her great-niece, Jennifer Stubbs; and her first born daughter who she is finally able to hold again.
Janet will be dearly missed by her beloved children, Steven Morris and his wife Yvette; Tracy Littleton and her husband Raymond; Janelle Boyer; and John Taulane and his wife Katie; 10 grandchildren and spouses, ranging in age from one month old to 41 years old; 10 great-grandchildren; her companion and travel partner of 25 years, Ronald Eby; her sister, Jean Miller; her goddaughter, Jo Ann Matthews; many nieces and nephews; and precious friends.
A walk-through visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until noon, Thursday, April 22, at Melvin Funeral Home, 15522 South DuPont Hwy., Harrington, where a funeral service will begin at noon. Interment will follow at Hollywood Cemetery. Due to the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing protocols must be observed, and masks must be worn by everyone participating in any aspect of the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in Janet’s memory to Bethel United Methodist Church, 129 West 4th St., Lewes, DE 19958.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Thomas E. Melvin & Son Funeral Home.
please visit us at www.melvinfuneralhome.com to express or send condolences.
