Janet Elizabeth Golden

With one foot planted firmly, deep in the heart of Texas, the other foot roamed through states and countries far and wide. Janet and her family moved around every 14-20 months and lived everywhere from Billings, Montana to Holland. In her later married life, she would move to the likes of Alaska where she went fishing on the Kenai for Salmon to London, England where she had high tea with the Queen. However, Texas would always lure her back home.

Her formative years were spent at Texas Tech where she graduated and moved to San Antonio to teach special education. It was there that Janet’s best friend, Linda, introduced Janet to her cousin, Jack. They went on their first date, lunch, with Linda and her husband. It must have gone well, for three dates and two months later, Jack was asking about marriage plans. Janet, while still in the car, took out her calendar and penned in a date a couple months later when they both had time off work for their upcoming wedding. It’s still argued to this day who asked who for their hand in marriage. Despite only four months of dating, they’ve celebrated forty-eight years of marriage.

After a few years of marriage, Janet and Jack had two children, Amanda then Joshua. As a family, they were all fortunate to move around and live in a multitude of fascinating places for Jack’s work. Janet was the bedrock of the family through the moves, keeping the family together and organized. She instilled faith in God, love of family, and fidelity of country. While they lived in Katy, TX Janet became a Stephen’s Minister where she helped many people on their journey with God.

In her later years, she and Jack retired to the rolling Hill Country of Spicewood, TX. Knowing she was finally living somewhere for more than a couple years, Janet became increasingly active in her church community. She also became a board member of Spicewood Community Library. Janet had always secretly wanted to be a librarian, so this was a role she truly relished and enjoyed.

For the past four years, Alzheimer's has stolen her ability to fully communicate, see, and wholly embrace the world. Yet, she carried on bravely. Her strength became our guidepost as we all learned to carry on.

And when it was her time and God called her Home, she did that with the unflinching grace in which she lived her life.

Janet is survived by her devoted husband, Dr. Jack Emitt Golden and her two children, Amanda Elizabeth who married Dr. Scott Essig and Joshua Emitt Golden, JD who married Alexandra Catherine, JD. Her loving sister, Mary Carol and Dr. Harold Cain live in Austin where they have resided for many years. Janet was preceded in death by her parents, Jack Ray and Mary Josephine Gollnick.

May it be shown that the Amazing Grace of God works in the mysterious ways of the tapestry of our lives. Looking back at the end to the beginning we can now see how every meeting and decision led to the beautiful and complicated tapestry of life that God now shows us. A life well lived, for God and family that will carry on through those who come after.