Janet Pfaff

Cherished mother of Virginia Rohay (Alan) and Robert F. Pfaff, Jr. (Julienne), grandmother of James and William Pfaff, dearest aunt of many nephews and nieces.

Proud of being a native New Yorker, Janet grew up in the Bronx, where she loved learning and was a star student, graduating from Evander Childs High School in 1937. She and her family were active in DeWitt Memorial Church, where her father was the choir master for many years. She spent many happy childhood summers in her family’s summer house in Sherman, CT. Janet earned her Bachelor of Arts from Hunter College in New York in 1941, majoring in the English Language.

Sweethearts prior to and during WWII, Janet and Robert Pfaff of Brooklyn were married after Bob’s return from three years of service overseas, with a beautiful reception at the Sherry Netherland Hotel on 5th Avenue. Together, they raised their two children, first in New York City and then in Lutherville, MD, prior to settling in Los Angeles in 1958. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary prior to Bob’s passing in 2006.

A devoted mother, Janet nurtured her children, from surprising them with visits from the Summer Santa to instilling in them a sense of always doing their best, believing in their convictions, and encouraging them to “be original.”

Janet embraced literature, especially Robinhood, the Rubaiyat, and Shakespeare. With her keen mind and retentive memory, she would consistently complete the Sunday crossword puzzles and the double crostics of the Saturday Review in ink.

Janet cherished her many friends of both the east and west coasts. A charming woman, Janet was a great conversationalist, knew how to tell a story, and liked to “hob nob.” She followed baseball, had fond memories of going to Yankee Stadium on Ladies Day, and lamented the passing of Joe DiMaggio.

With her sparkling blue eyes, Janet would live each day to the fullest, often singing out loud, either hymns or songs from her childhood with her brother, or songs she made up about her children.

In accordance with Janet’s wishes, her body will be cremated, with no funeral services planned at this time. Although Janet would jokingly tell her friends that, when she goes, she wanted to be tossed in the La Brea Tar Pits, she was happy knowing that she would be buried in Arlington National Cemetery with her ashes “nestled with my husband’s.”

“Age cannot wither, nor custom stale, her infinite variety” (Antony and Cleopatra, Act II, Sc. II)

Janet was deeply loved and will be sorely missed.