Janet Lee Gilstrap

Born in Fort Lauderdale on August 21, 1959, Janet grew up in Coral Gables, Florida, where she graduated from Coral Gables High School. She went on to attend Florida State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in in Risk Management and Insurance.

Janet was a highly accomplished professional in her field, earning prestigious Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC), Associate in Risk Management (ARM), and Certified Risk Manager (CRM) designations. She dedicated more than 15 years to Florida Power & Light in Risk Management and more than 22 years of of distinguished service as a Director of Risk Management at AutoNation, Inc.

Janet’s vibrant energy was felt by everyone who knew her. She loved being near the water and outdoors, often going boating, bicycling, and walking around Las Olas Blvd. Janet loved sharing life's simple pleasures with friends, whether it was enjoying happy hours at her favorite local restaurants, attending wine tastings, exploring art festivals, or taking in local concerts.

An avid sports enthusiast, she was a faithful, passionate fan of the Florida State Seminoles, the Miami Dolphins, and the Florida Panthers, always looking forward to attending games with her friends. Janet’s friends could always count on her to know exactly what fun local events were coming up.

Janet was a devoted friend to many, deeply cherishing her long-term friendships, several of which spanned 40 to 50 years. Her gentle heart, friendly nature, and kind smile left a lasting impression on everyone she encountered.

Janet was the beloved daughter of the late Ralph and Barbara Gilstrap, and the sister-in-law of the late E. Stephen Matton II. She is survived by her brother, Glenn Gilstrap, and his wife, Lisa; her niece, Julia Gilstrap and her husband, Antonio Gjorgjievski; her nephew, Daniel Gilstrap; her twin sister, Sheryl Gilstrap Matton; and her niece, Caroline Matton.

Please save the date of Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 4:00pm for a Celebration of Life service to honor Janet at Fred Hunter's Funeral Home, located at 718 S. Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Foundation for Women’s Cancer to support research, education, and awareness of gynecologic cancers. Donations can be made at

Memorial & Tribute Giving

https://support.foundationforwomenscancer.org/fundraiser/7423258