Janet L Upton

Janet Lynn Upton, age 78, of Louisville, Kentucky passed away on Friday, March 21, 2025. Janet contracted polio at age 8 and used a wheelchair for most of her life. She graduated from Louisville Male High School in 1964, and Kentucky Southern College in 1968 with a B.S. in Biology. She earned her teaching certificate in 1969 and her M.Ed. in Counseling from the University of Louisville in 1975.

Janet worked for the Kentucky State Employment Service for nine years where she supervised a team of counselors who specialized in placement of disabled and older workers. She worked for Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) for 18 years, where she was responsible for the plan to remove architectural barriers from schools. She later became the JCPS civil rights Compliance Coordinator. During her career and into retirement, Janet worked with community agencies and advocacy groups to improve the lives of disabled people.

Janet enjoyed reading and gardening. She was a long-time member of Lakeside Swim Club. She loved her pet cats and parrots.

Janet was preceded in death by her parents William Walter Upton and Dorothy Schick Upton; her sister Judith “Judy” (David) Manteuffel; her brother William “Bill” (Janet) Upton, Jr.; and her nephew Bob Manteuffel. She is survived by nephews Jonathan (Kathy) Manteuffel, Dan (Maricel Alvarez) Manteuffel, Mark (Jacinta Etling) Manteuffel, and Tim Upton, as well as great-nephews, Lucas, Jared, and Sanjay Manteuffel, great-niece Michelle Manteuffel, step-great-nieces Sophia Etling and Serena Borys, and several cousins.

Blessings to friends, caretakers, neighbors, and family who were there for Janet in her later days, and the wonderful people at Hildegard House.

Janet requested that no visitation or service be held. She will be entombed beside her beloved aunt, Lillian Schick, at Evergreen Cemetery in Louisville. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to:

• Hildegard House, 114 Adams St., Louisville KY 40206

https://www.hildegardhouse.org/support-us, (502) 581-8267

• Kentucky Humane Society at 1000 Lyndon Lane, Suite B, Louisville, KY 40222

https://www.kyhumane.org/donate, (502) 515-3145