Janet was born in Manhattan, NY to the late Albert and Anita Ruck. She graduated from Red Bank Catholic High School and received a BA from Notre Dame of Maryland University, an MA from Loyal University of Maryland, and an MBA from University of Baltimore. Janet was married to Carlos Pastor for 39 years, and they lived together in Towson, MD for 7 years before relocating to Columbia, MD where they spent their final 32 years together. Sadly, Carlos passed away 9 days after Janet. Janet is survived by 2 children, Stefan Pastor and Darryl Pastor, stepdaughter Taina Martinez, grandchildren CJ and Brandon Martinez, and siblings Richard, Gerald, and Dorothy.
After retiring as a Captain from the United States Public Health Service, Janet shifted her focus to career counseling and writing. Second to her family, her true passion was writing. In her own words, “I am an avid writer – books, essays, grocery lists, jokes, poems, recipes, manuals, to-do lists. Give me a sheer expanse of paper, be it a blank journal page, the smooth back of an envelope or the blank screen on a monitor and I am compelled to write. The flow of pen to paper and the melodious click of a keyboard have always meant self-expression, creativity and the possibility of dreams not yet imagined.” Janet was a member, past treasurer and past Vice President of the Maryland Writers Association, while also a grant writer until June 2020. She authored a book, “You, Anew: A Guide for the Woman Who Is Ready to Create Her Best Life” and co-authored “Find Your Federal Job Fit.” She never hesitated to provide feedback on anyone’s writing, resume, or cover letter, or to help someone prepare for a job interview. Growing up on the Jersey Shore, Janet had a close relationship with the ocean. Janet and her family spent most summers vacationing in Chincoteague, VA. Thanks to Janet’s love of archiving words, memories, and photos, her family has countless scrapbooks, photo albums, and journals to remember their lives together. She is most remembered for her laugh, positive attitude, and willingness to help those in need.
There will be a joint memorial service for Janet and her husband, Carl, on October 3rd, at 2pm, which is the day after their 39th wedding anniversary. Please note that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the service will be by invitation only. For those who cannot attend in person, there will be an option to attend through a virtual (Zoom) platform. Further details will be provided in the coming days. In Leui of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation on behalf of the Scleroderma Foundation.
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