It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the unexpected passing of our mother, Janet M. (McIlwaine) Niklaus, on Saturday, August 18, 2018. Born September 14, 1930 to Roy and Jessie (Dunnigan) McIlwaine, she was raised in Fall River, with her brothers, David McIlwaine, of Fall River and Alan McIlwaine, of Old Orchard Beach, ME. She was predeceased by her husband of 53 years, Robert L. Niklaus, Jr.
Janet graduated from Barrington Bible College and from the Truesdale Hospital of Fall River with a degree in nursing. While working on her language studies in Brussels she met and married the love of her life, Bob. They continued on together to the Congo where Janet lived out her faith daily and courageously.
After serving on the mission field, she and Bob settled in Nyack, NY, where Janet worked as a nurse at Nyack Hospital for 15 years and continued raising their 3 daughters. In 1989, they moved to Colorado Springs where she worked as a hospice nurse until her retirement in 2000. After retirement they moved to Lakeville to pastor the Mullein Baptist Church from 2003-2009. They retired to Florida and she recently moved back home to be near family. Her hobbies were painting, creating and drawing personal cards and writing poetry in calligraphy. Always a kind word, a warm smile and a card or note for every occasion endeared her to anyone who knew her.
Her daily walk of faith and her family were her joy. Many were blessed to call her Momma, Nana, Sister, Auntie and Friend. In addition to her brothers, Janet is survived by her daughters, Karen Corinha (Henry) of Marshfield, MA; Erica Butler of Overland Park, KS and Judy Poferl (Tim) of Orange City, IA as well as adopted children, David Trinh of WA, Lanny and Sophy Kong of NY and their families. She leaves behind her treasured grandchildren, Stefany Ohannesian (Dan), Victoria, Anthony and Robert Rovito; Janet and James Butler, Jai, Niklaus (Grace) and John Mark Poferl, her precious great-grandchildren, Lucy and Annie Ohannesian and her sixteen beloved nieces and nephews.
Her visitation will be held on Monday, August 27, 2018 from 10:00 to 11:00AM in the Cornerstone Community Church, 111 Highland Rd., Lakeville, MA, followed by her Funeral Service at 11:00AM. Relatives and friends invited. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her honor may be made to the Christian Missionary Alliance, 8595 Explorer Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80920 or to Operation Smile, 3641 Faculty Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23453. Burial in Mullein Hill Baptist Cemetery, Lakeville.
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