Janet Ruth Mathison

Janet was born to George Lehman, an engineer/surveyor, and Isabelle Neely Lehman, a school teacher, on March 23, 1919, in Hibbing Minnesota. She was one of four children, and was predeceased by her sister, Isabelle Harvey, and her two brothers, William and Ray Lehman. Janet and each sibling had a lake named after them in Minnesota. After high school, Janet attended beauty college. In 1939, she married Charles Belch (Charlie). Charlie worked for the railroad in Hibbing, and they moved to Seattle when Charlie was transferred. They truly embraced the Seattle community and decided to stay. During the war, Janet drove a jitney to deliver supplies to Naval ships in Seattle and was soon brought into the office to work. She later worked for the Bon Marche.

Janet and Charlie brought a tri-plex in Seattle, and also purchased a cabin on five acres outside of town. Charlie was 10 years Janet's senior, and when he decided to retire, she, too retired, not wanting to work while he was home. Charlie died in 1985. Janet then married Robert Mathison, who was also a railroad man, as well as serving in the Army Reserves through retirement. They had a motor home and traveled to Arizona for the winters with their other RV friends. Bob passed away in the mid-1990s. Janet had an adventurous spirit and loved nature. She and Charlie, along with two other couples, drove a boat from Seattle to Alaska. She once went moose hunting in Montana with Charlie. Janet had also taken two trips abroad. After a fall and a broken hip landed her in a nursing home in 2012, Janet enjoyed the company of her fellow patients, loved to play bingo, took pleasure in the entertainers (particularity the Elvis impersonators), and learned to Wii bowl.

Janet is survived by her niece and nephews: Ruth Mealey, Richard Harvey, Robert Harvey, William Lehman, George Lehman, and James Lehman, and their respective children and grandchildren.

Rest in peace Janet.

A Beautiful Life

A beautiful life

that came to an end,

she died as she lived,

everyone's friend.

In our hearts,

a memory

will always be kept,

of one we loved,

and will never forget.