Janet Caliva Lodge

Janet Caliva Lodge, age 63, passed away peacefully on Saturday, the 7th of May 2016, after a courageous battle with cancer that has left her family heartbroken. Janet lived a wonderful life rooted in friends, family, Italian Heritage and strong Catholic faith. To state simply, there was no finer woman, wife, mother, grandmother (Nana), sister, aunt, cousin or friend than Janet.

Janet was born on the 5th of October 1952, in Houston, Texas, to Jack Charles Caliva and Rose Pizzo Caliva, both of whom she joins in heaven. She graduated from St. Agnes Academy in 1971, and attended St. Edwards University in Austin. Growing up, Janet was fun, popular, smart and athletic. She could pick up and play any sport and, in high school, was a member of Homecoming Court and a Strake Jesuit cheerleader. Later in life, Janet completed her undergraduate studies at the University of St. Thomas in Houston.

Living by the Catholic Italian values instilled by her parents, Janet was a hard worker, always thought of others first and never made excuses or complained. She was a leader and a winner. Embracing the entrepreneurial spirit and tenacity of her parents, Janet and her sister, Suggie, opened one of the first Century 21 franchises in Houston. Located in Bellaire, Janet and Suggie’s Century 21 location quickly became one of the most successful real estate brokerage offices in the community and they operated the business successfully for many years.

Janet later “retired” to focus on her family but was always volunteering and supporting her children at the various schools they were attending at the time; St. Michael Catholic School, The Regis School of the Sacred Heart, Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart or St. Thomas High School.

Although Janet volunteered and was always involved, she was not your average soccer Mom. Like her mother and father, Janet could play poker with anyone, she understood odds and bookmaking and it was ill advised to bet against her on almost anything. A competitive tennis player at The University Club, member of XRV tennis group, and later an accomplished golfer at Lakeside Country Club, sports came natural to her and she never turned away from challenge. In recent years Janet was dubbed by her friends as “The Queen of Mahjongg”. She was confident, persistent and honest, a straight shooter, one to never beat around the bush, yet she embodied class, grace and humility to perfection.

Janet was a parishioner of St. Michael Catholic Church for many years where she served on the Wedding Guild and was also a member of the Charity Guild of Catholic Women in Houston. She was a member of the Italian Cultural & Community Center Daughters of Italian Heritage, a former member of the Houston Junior Forum and she volunteered for Habitat for Humanity to rebuild homes in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

One to always put others first, Janet’s greatest joy came from serving others; especially her husband, children and grandchildren. If she wasn’t volunteering, playing golf or mahjongg, she could be found in the kitchen. Like her mother, Italian to the soul and not using many formal recipes, Janet was an exceptional cook. Everyone was invited, no one left hungry and she never prepared a bad meal.

You would be hard pressed to find a human being with more character, more courage and more grit than Janet. She was as giving, beautiful, gracious and patient as anyone you would ever meet. Janet had incredible charisma and was a leader by example, always believed that actions spoke louder than words and always stood up for what was right. She looked for, and found, the good in anyone she encountered.

Janet’s network of friends and family is extensive as she never met a stranger and no one ever forgot her. She is loved by many, will be deeply missed and leaves a void that will never be filled. However, Janet’s legacy of selflessness and strength will help all who knew her to be better servants to others and to God.

The family would like to thank all those who cared for Janet including, Janet’s nephew Dr. Marc N. Longo and Janet’s niece Dr. Lara Longo-Gaines. The family would also like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at Houston Methodist Hospital who provided Janet with compassionate and impeccable care and all members of the family that helped Janet over the last few months. The family would also like to recognize Janet’s best friend of almost fifty years, Donna Sample, and thank the many friends that offered support and prayers.

Janet is survived by her husband of thirty-two years, John William Lodge III of Houston; her daughters, Julie Lodge of Katy, Texas, Lisa L. Golden of Austin, Texas; her sons, Jason P. Keyser (Ginny), John W. Lodge IV (Alice) and Eric C. Lodge (Amanda) all of Houston, Texas; and eleven grandchildren: Jack, Logan, Madeleine, Abigail, Emma, Wyatt, Sophie, Hudson, Kate, Lauren and Will. She is also survived by her brother, Sam Caliva (Frances); her sister, Ann “Suggie” Longo-Lowry (Jerry); her sisters-in-law, Phyllis Smallwood and Carolyn Hooper (Larry) all of Houston, Texas; and a large extended family.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o’clock in the afternoon until seven o’clock in the evening on Wednesday, the 11th of May, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston, where the Recitation of the Holy Rosary is to commence at seven o’clock.

The funeral mass is to be offered at ten o’clock in the morning on Thursday, the 12th of May, at St. Michael Catholic Church, 1801 Sage Road in Houston, where The Most Rev. Bishop Wm. Michael Mulvey, Bishop of Corpus Christi, and Rev. Brian Eliers, are to serve as celebrants.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception at the Parish Life Center.

The Rite of Committal is to follow, via an escorted cortege, at Glenwood Cemetery in Houston.

Those honored to serve as casket bearers during Thursday’s services are Janet’s brother, Sam J. Caliva; cousin, John P. Bosco; and close friends, Don S. Sample, JM Jones III, William D. Gutermuth, John R. Rutherford and Dr. Andre A. Lighvani. Honorary pallbearers are Janet’s three sons, Jason P. Keyser, J.W. Lodge and Eric C. Lodge; and her nephews, Marc N. Longo, Victor J. Longo and Jack C. Caliva.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests memorial contributions in memory of Janet Lodge be directed to Houston Methodist Cancer Center Immunotherapy Research Fund, P.O. Box 4384, Houston, Texas 77210-4384, St. Thomas High School, 4500 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77007-7332, or St. Michael Catholic Church, 1801 Sage Rd., Houston, Texas 77056.