Janet Link Carroll Cartwright

Janet Link Carroll Cartwright, 86, loved life. She was born in Houston on the 6th of April 1928, the daughter of Imola and Elwyn Carroll and the granddaughter of Helen and John Wiley Link. She grew up in Montrose which was originally developed by her grandfather, and attended River Oaks Elementary, Lanier, Lamar and Hockaday School before entering The University of Texas where she joined Pi Beta Phi. Upon returning to Houston she met and married the love of her life Stewart Cartwright in 1950 at Trinity Episcopal Church while St. John’s Church was under construction.

She died peacefully on the 25th of October 2014. Janet was preceded in death by her husband, Stewart, and their daughter, Carroll. She is survived by her son, Bruce and wife Denise; son, Keith and wife Grace and her grandchildren Link, Carroll, Stewart and Jason Howard, Hinds Howard, Mary Liz Eastland, 9 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. We will miss you Gigi.

Janet loved her Houston heritage. After spending a few early years in the 1960’s living in Canada, she and Stewart returned to Houston where Janet began her career with the Houston Symphony as an executive assistant. In 1969 Janet and two of her lifelong friends purchased the Houston Invitation Service which she continued to own and operate for nearly 30 years. The Houston Invitation Service was a social institution and in addition to organizing weddings, Allegros’ debutant parties, many people to this day give Janet credit for being introduced to their future spouses. Recently Janet had started a new career; she was publisher of the Houston Social Register. Janet loved a party.

All through her life she loved her family, she loved her friends and she loved to have a good time. She was especially close to her cousins Grace, Barbara, Les, Carolyn, Joe, Adrienne, John, Pati and Don. Janet loved her morning phone calls with Mimi, Helen and Susan. She looked forward to her Thursday nights with her sister Marilyn and adored her nieces and nephew Jan, Mark, Ann, Jill and Keith. She loved card games and the Holiday sing-along.

She was a member of the Junior League of Houston; and volunteered for many years at Methodist Hospital, M. D. Anderson as well as St. John the Divine Church. Janet wanted to give back.

The memorial service is to be conducted at one o’clock in the afternoon on Wednesday, the 29th of October, at the Church of St. John the Divine, 2450 River Oaks Boulevard in Houston, where The Rev. Douglas W. Richnow, Senior Associate Rector, is to officiate.

Prior to the service, the family will have gathered for a private interment at Memorial Oaks Cemetery.

In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions in Janet’s memory may be directed to the University of St. Thomas, Link-Lee Mansion Restoration, Institutional Advancement, 3800 Montrose Blvd, Houston, TX, 77006; Church of St. John the Divine, 2450 River Oaks Blvd., Houston, TX, 77019; The University of Texas: Moody College of Communication, Carroll Cartwright Endowed Presidential Scholarship; 300 West Dean Keaton St., Austin, TX, 78712; Texas A&M: Stewart Cartwright Memorial Endowed Scholarship, 4223 TAMU 301 Coke Bldg., College Station, TX, 77843-4223; or the charity of one’s choice.