Janet Gordon Kaplan

Janet was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1938. She was born to loving parents Ruby and Morris as well as big sister Linda. This was in a time when all the family was close if not in the same house so she was raised with love all around.

When her sister received frost bite from the cold Boston winter, the family decided to move completely cross country to Los Angeles, California.

Janet was a smart student and showed a real talent for the violin and music at a very early age. She went to UCLA as a music major and later returned for a master’s in Social Work. While at UCLA she joined Mui Phi Epsilon which she was a member through-out her life. She felt that this was a way to communicate with others at the same time enriching young talent. She was the president of Mui Phi Epsilon as well as a judge for their numerous competitions. She also mentored musicians on how to succeed through experience and not just talent.

Janet was so talented that her first major violin teacher , Mr. Josef Oroop gave her his violin that he had used when he performed in Russia. This was his pride and joy, but he was prouder of his young prodigy.

I remember seeing my mom in one of her first concerts with a huge orchestra behind her. She stood in front of everyone in this beautiful pink and silver dress, with a smile from ear to ear. I thought she looked like a “movie star”. She played music that was fit for angels.

As the duties of motherhood took priority, Janet performed less and focused more on directing her passion and talent for music to help others. She became a violin teacher/coach and was well sought out. Her students were known for being among the best and winning competitions.

She also had a knack for details and finance. Even to her last day, and with dementia, she was still as sharp as a tack when it came to finance and record keeping.

Janet was the type of person that did not have superficial relationships either in marriage or friendships. If you were lucky enough to be her friend, like Aileen, Bernice, Elaine, and Norma, you were her friend for life. I grew up with the children of her friends and her students. We have all known each other for ages and we are all like family, even now, 60 + years later we are there for each other.

Her love for hot fudge sundaes with strawberry ice cream was shared during special times with her granddaughters.

Janet is survived by two daughters:

Beth Mathis nee Kaplan (Bill Mathis)

Deborah Tracy

One son:

Paul Gordon Kaplan

And two granddaughters:

Marissa Mathis

Arora Timberlyn (Jasper)

Janet was laid to rest on December 31, 2025 at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs, Georgia. The arrangements have been made with grace and care by H. M. Patterson & Son and Arlington Memorial Park both part of Dignity Memorial.

The family wishes to express their deepest wishes of thanks to the ICU doctors and nurses at Emory John’s Creek Hospital as well as Affinity Hospice for all their loving care at Emory. The hospice staff whether day or night was the BEST. This includes but is definitely not limited to Dr. Ravi, Dr. Lawe, Sanjeeta, Kim, Alexis, Addison, and multiple others that were there to offer compassion and care as well as Chaplain Winston who always offered a smile and kind words.

If you would like to make a donation in Janet’s memory, please make it to the Emory Johns Creek Hospital hospice, Affinity Hospice, or, Mu Phi Epsilon in honor of Janet Gordon Kaplan.