Janet Cort

When ABBA released “Dancing Queen” in 1976, they could never have imagined how perfectly that song would capture the life and spirit of a true “angel on earth”—Janet Cort.

Throughout Janet’s life, incredible joy, love, and laughter were shared with every person she touched, whether they were a beloved family member, a lifelong friend, or a complete stranger.

Janet was born on May 23, 1934, in the Kinsman neighborhood of Cleveland. Her parents, Isadore and Sadie Kaufman, had immigrated to Cleveland from Eastern Europe in the early 1900s, like so many Jewish families seeking a safer and better life after escaping persecution.

Isadore was an amazing salesman for the Independent Towel Supply Company, while Sadie was a world-class baker and seamstress who opened her home and her heart to everyone, regardless of their ethnicity, beliefs, or politics.

Janet was surrounded by an extraordinary family. Her eldest brother, Norman, was a decorated World War II pilot and a world-class drummer who traveled throughout the world playing with big bands. Her brother Benny, also a World War II veteran, was well known throughout the Kinsman neighborhood for his pet shop, which eventually became a bicycle store that operated on Cleveland’s East Side for more than 60 years. Her older sister Phyllis, like their father, was an unparalleled salesperson and a beauty queen. Janet’s younger brother Howard, a lifelong bachelor, was known throughout the East Side for his work in the music business, his cool cars, and his boats.

As a young girl surrounded by this vibrant family, Janet was quite shy and rarely left her mother’s side. She would hold tightly to Sadie’s apron.

Then, in 1952, when Janet was just seventeen, her beloved father died in a tragic fishing accident on Lake Erie. His death had a profound effect on Janet. Almost

overnight, the shy young girl grew strong, taking on a new role of supporting her mother and the rest of her family.

It was around this time that Janet met a redheaded, vibrant young man from Cleveland Heights named Danny Cort. They married in 1954, and over the next seven years welcomed four children: David in 1956, Cindy in 1958, and identical twins Lisa and Lyda in 1961.

Danny and Janet bought their first home in Mayfield Heights in 1956 and raised their children in a rich and joyous environment in the suburbs. An incredibly supportive community grew around their family, creating deep relationships that have continued for four generations.

Danny’s family was well known in the shoe business, owning stores throughout the urban areas of the Rust Belt. But as the migration to the suburbs continued through the 1960s, and unprecedented social change transformed American life, the family shoe business suffered.

Janet knew it was time for her to get to work.

She began a vibrant career in interior design and furniture sales before embarking on an unprecedented 45-year career in real estate. Janet worked with all of the major developers of new real estate in the greater Cleveland area. Yet no matter how successful she became, she never lost her Kinsman roots. Her clients were treated like family and were always cared for with warmth, loyalty, and genuine concern.

Janet and Danny were a beautiful, vibrant couple. They lit up every room they entered and were especially famous for their skills on the dance floor. Their jitterbug was legendary, and their fun-loving nature was contagious.

But like so many couples of their generation, living through a period of extraordinary social and cultural change, their marriage ended in divorce as their children grew older and headed off to college.

This was a challenging period for Janet, but she stayed strong. In the early 1980s, Janet met Jerry Kurland, beginning a 38-year romance filled with travel, dancing, laughter, and family.

Janet and Jerry traveled the world together and continued to show off their skills on the dance floor. They spent countless wonderful hours with their adult children and young grandchildren in Cleveland and in Northern California, where three of Janet’s children eventually moved to raise their families.

Janet continued working in sales well into her late 70s. She also became something of a legend at the Jewish Community Center’s East Side campus, where she would spend hours every day in the swimming pool. Janet could swim, exercise, and outlast athletes decades younger, leaving many of them in puddles of sweat.

Her lifelong motto was simple:

“We are family.”

And Janet meant it.

Her enthusiasm for life extended to everyone she encountered. She had an extraordinary ability to make people feel welcome, loved, and included. It didn’t matter whether she had known you for 50 years or had just met you that afternoon. Somehow, you were family.

Janet’s positive and optimistic approach to life gave her the strength to face difficult physical challenges. She developed a debilitating essential tremor that gradually evolved into Parkinson’s disease in her 80s. Like so many seniors, the COVID pandemic was particularly challenging. Then, in 2023, Jerry died following a fall and struggles with his memory.

Jerry’s passing was heartbreaking for Janet. But once again, she stayed strong.

In 2024, Janet moved to San Rafael, California, to be closer to three of her children, her grandchildren, and her beloved great-grandchildren. There, an entirely new community discovered what everyone who knew Janet already understood.

She was Bubbie.

And Bubbie brought joy wherever she went.

Even into her early 90s, she was singing, dancing, swimming, doing her daily sit-ups, and making the people around her break into unbridled laughter. She faced every challenge by finding something to smile about and someone to love.

In the summer of 2026, Janet’s Parkinson’s disease finally took hold of her body. But even as her physical abilities diminished, the spirit that had carried her through 92 years never disappeared.

On September 29, 2026, surrounded by her loving family and caregivers, Janet’s heart peacefully took a rest.

In the days following her passing, an extraordinary outpouring of love came from every corner of the planet—in person, virtually, and by phone. The stories, memories, laughter, and tears have been a testament to the enormous number of lives Janet touched.

One message from a longtime friend captures Bubbie perfectly:

“We are sending our heartfelt condolences to you both and to your entire family on the passing of Bubbie. We have such warm and wonderful memories of her — she was truly an amazing, dynamic, loving, and one-of-a-kind Bubbie. From handing gum out to the kids when they were little, to teaching us how to stretch our necks to avoid a double chin, to doing exercises on a six-foot table with her garter belt showing — and not caring one bit! — she always made us laugh and left an impression. Bubbie was truly a one-of-a-kind gem, and we feel so lucky to have known her. We’re sending you all our love and holding you close in our hearts. She will be deeply missed.”

That is Janet.

She was a one-of-a-kind gem.

She was a dancer. A mother. A grandmother. A great-grandmother. A sister. A partner. A friend. A salesperson. An athlete. A caregiver. A comedian. A force of nature.

And above all, she was family.

Janet leaves behind a community of people who will carry her vibrancy, generosity, humor, and love forward: her children, Dave (Howie), Cindy (the late George), Lisa (David), and Lyda (Andy); her grandchildren, Daley (Jane), Sadie (Nick), Gage, Lily, and Roman; her great-grandchildren, Logan and Ada; and three generations of the Kurland family.

And, of course, the countless friends, neighbors, clients, caregivers, and strangers who became family along the way.

Janet’s life was 92 years of love, resilience, laughter, dancing, and an extraordinary commitment to living fully.

She truly was our Dancing Queen.

And she will dance in our hearts forever.

Funeral Service Berkowitz-Kumin-Bookatz Memorial Chapel Cleveland Heights, Ohio October 6, 2026 at 1:00 p.m.

The funeral service will be followed by burial at Bet Olam Cemetery at the corner of Chagrin Boulevard and Richmond Road in Beachwood, Ohio. Janet

Shiva/Celebration of Life October 7, 2026 4:00–7:00 p.m. 5215 Ramblewood Court, Solon OH 44139

For More Info: 707-287-4740

Donations In Lieu of Flowers

By The Bay Health https://bythebayhealth.org/ways-to-help/donations/

Mandel JCC https://engage.mandeljcc.org/support

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