Janet Ohl Wigton

Janet Ohl Wigton, 92, passed away peacefully in her sleep at home in Sarasota on January 17, 2024. Janet had courageously battled a form of blood cancer over the past year and a half. She retired to Sarasota from Cleveland OH in 1991 with her husband of 50 years, Paul N. Wigton, who preceded her in death in 2003. Janet’s sister, Elaine Garwood, also preceded her in death. She is survived by her sons and daughters in law Bruce and Judy of New Waverly, TX and Douglas and Johanne of Medina, OH, 4 wonderful grandchildren Jennifer (Pierre) Francois, Amanda (Roger) Arbizu, Alexandra (Mitch) Duale and Gordon Wigton, 7 great grandchildren Emma, Juliette, Adriana, Makenzie, Jaxon, Owen, and Anna, as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Janet celebrated an extraordinary life. She was born October 19, 1931, in Youngstown, Ohio where she lived until 1979. She and Paul moved to Solon, Ohio in 1979 after Paul was promoted to President of the Tubular Products Division of LTV Steel. She received her BS in Education from Youngstown State University and taught English/Language Arts in the Austintown school district for 25 years. Although Janet retired from teaching in 1979, she was known to correct someone’s grammar for her remaining 45 years of life.

When Janet and Paul retired to Sarasota FL, they made many new friends and joined Church of the Palms Presbyterian Church and Tournament Players Club at Prestancia. In retirement Janet enjoyed golf, snow skiing, traveling, watching “Young and the Restless” and pampering her beloved schnauzer, Schatzi. Janet was very proficient at using the latest technology to stay in touch (and “track”) with her family members daily. She also helped as a tutor for children at Church of The Palms for many years. She traveled extensively with her husband Paul and was very proud to have visited all 7 continents.

Janet left many beautiful pieces of needlepoint work to be cherished by family and friends. She was most proud of the very intricate and personalized Christmas stockings that she needlepointed for all her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She even made a couple “blanks” for future great grandchildren yet to be born.

Janet was loved by everyone fortunate enough to meet her. Janet’s legacy will live on through the wonderful example she led as a wife, mother, grandma, great grandma (“GiGi”), sister, aunt and friend.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Church of The Palms Presbyterian Church, 3224 Bee Ridge Road. Sarasota, FL 34239 (941) 924-1323.

A visitation for Janet will be held Friday, February 2, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at The Chapel at Church of the Palms, 3224 Bee Ridge Rd., Sarasota, FL 34239, followed by a funeral service at 2:00 PM.