 STEBLETON, JANET CAROL Janet Carol Stebleton departed this life on March 23, 2014 in Albuquerque. She grew up in various locations around the country as her family moved with her father's jobs in various printing plants, eventually settling in Houston, TX in 1954. Very intelligent with a strong aptitude in the sciences, Janet pursued a career in nursing, graduating from the well regarded nursing program at Houston's Hermann Hospital in 1957. It was on a blind date that she met the love of her life, Lawrence Stebleton then a Student Navigator at Ellington Air Force Base. Following a whirlwind romance they were married December 26, 1957 and she began the gypsy life of a military wife as the family moved around the country with Lawrence's various assignments as an Officer in the US Air Force. Janet took a few years off from nursing when her children were young but returned to the profession in 1966, spending the next 46 years in various aspects of the profession and helping thousand of people along the way. She continually upgraded her knowledge in the field, earning first a B.S. in Nursing, followed by an M.S. and finally a Nurse Practitioner certification in the 1990's. After the family settled in New Mexico, Janet enjoyed a long and productive relationship with many local health care organizations, including Lovelace, St. Joseph's Presbyterian, and ABQ Health Partners. She also passed her knowledge on to others, teaching nursing at the University of Albuquerque, UNM, and TVI. Her favorite job was her last one as a Nurse Practitioner at the Southwest Center for Sleep medicine, working on the cutting edge of this relatively new field. Janet was a consummate volunteer, donating over 10,000 hours of her time working with the American Red Cross at Kirtland Air Force base teaching swimming to the members of hundreds of service families. She also served as a Water Safety and Lifeguarding Instructor Trainer training future teachers. Janet also volunteered within her adopted community of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, most notably on the effort that resulted in its 2010 Master Plan. A cat lover all her life, Janet was a strong supporter of cat rescue efforts in the Albuquerque area. Janet is survived by her loving husband, Lawrence; two sons; two grandchildren; and her wonderful rescue cat Shaney. The family would like to extend special appreciation to Jean Orosco for her support and help during Janet's illness. At Janet's request there will be no formal memorial service. She has been cremated and will be interred at the Old Cadet Chapel at the United States Military Academy at West Point, her husband's Alma Mater. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in Janet's name to High Desert Cat Rescue & Adoption at: www.hdcra.org.
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