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WHITTLESEY -- Janet Lee Whittlesey, a beloved mother and brave woman, joined her family in Heaven Saturday morning, November 13, 2010, at the age of 78. Janet chose the path less traveled in her courageous battle with end-stage cancer - to receive no treatment but instead to live life to the fullest under the care of hospice. Janet was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1932. Her father, a nationally-known and respected church Choir Director, Dr. Federal Lee Whittlesey, and her mother, a gracious and talented artist, Jessie Victoria Whittlesey, moved to Dallas, Texas in the early 1950's so Dr. Whittlesey could take the leadership role of the Music Ministry of Highland Park United Methodist Church. After her marriage to Dr. Johnnie Jeff Jerome, a Family Practice physician, and a three-year military commitment that relocated the family to Japan, Janet received her Bachelor of Sacred Music degree from Southern Methodist University. She then chose to follow her father's profession, and she became Choir Director of a number of church choirs in the greater Dallas, Texas area. In 1996, Janet moved to New Mexico and soon became the Choir Director for Immanuel Presbyterian Church. Recently, she played the piano for church services and provided mentorship to the music leadership of High Desert United Methodist Church of Rio Rancho, and she taught piano lessons to children in the local community through her business "Middle-C Music." Janet is survived by her two sisters, Elizabeth First, of Emporia, Kansas and Jeanne Leverette of Conroe, Texas; Janet's daughter, Dr. Wanda Whittlesey-Jerome, lives in Corrales, New Mexico with her husband, Kenric Speed; Janet's two sons, Mark and Paul Jerome; and her three grand-children, live in Texas. Paul lives in Irving, and Mark and his wife Gina and their daughter Katie live in Lewisville; Janet's two grandsons, Clint and David by Mark's first wife Vicki Terry, live in Texas. A Memorial Service honoring the life and contributions of Janet Whittlesey will be held in Albuquerque at Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 114 Carlisle Blvd., SE, on Thanksgiving Sunday. Sunday, November 28, 2010 at 1:00 p.m., in the church sanctuary. Arrangements by Direct Funeral Services, 2919 4th St. NW, Albuquerque, NM 505-343-8008.
        Published on: Sun November 28, 2010