Dear Janet,

It’s been a while. Eight years, I think. That’s more than half of my life. I can’t say I think of you often, as much as I want to—maybe because it is easier that way—but when I do, I think of how I never wanted the story to end. Two school years are too short a time for a child to find a best friend and let her go. And yet, as I was the child, and you the friend, I found myself saying “goodbye for now” and leaving forever.
Do you remember how scared I was on the first day? I hid behind my knees and stared with wary eyes at an unfamiliar world. You coaxed me out of my shell through love and geniality, and, with gentle strokes, you painted in my mind a picture of how school was supposed to be. You were my teacher in every sense of the word. But beyond that, you were my pal. You treated me with respect and humor, and you never lost sight of my dreams, no matter how naïve or small they were. For in your eyes, there were no small dreams, only small dreamers. I was one, and you made me believe that.
I just realized a strange thing. I knew you for two years—I learned to read, write, and treat others with kindness under your guidance—and I never knew your last name. To me you were just Janet.
Our school was Pathfinder, and each class had a title. For ours, you chose Salmon. This troubled me. After all, how could a lowly fish compare to a Cougar, for instance, or a Wolf? (These were two other class names, ones I particularly envied.) So, to make sense of the name, I imagined the Salmon as not a lowly fish, but a glorious and powerful creature. I did research in the class library, and I found that Salmon were symbols of perseverance, swimming upstream for miles and hopping up cliffs to return to the place they were born. But they were also creatures of sacrifice, for when they arrived at their destination, they birthed new salmon, continuing the cycle of life, and then died. And once their eggs had hatched, their carcasses gave their offspring nutrients that were essential to their survival.
I was fascinated. I reveled in the glory of the Salmon, and I boasted to my Wolf and Cougar peers. I was proud to be a Salmon! It was the greatest honor I’d ever known.
But, alas, while you and I were admiring the class pets (salmon alevin) curiosity overcame me. I asked my teacher, my friend, why she had chosen the Salmon to represent our class.
What she said then, in that moment, has stuck with me all these years. It has been my mantra in life, and perhaps, even in death, it will be still, carved in bold lettering on my tombstone. This is what you told me:

“Because they taste good.”

The last thing I can remember saying to you is that if first grade ending meant me leaving you and the Salmon class, then I wanted the schoolyear to last forever. You simply smiled, took my hand, and walked with me to the door. I walked on, knowing even then that nothing could last forever, and you remained at the threshold as if to say, “This is as far as I can go, but I am with you in spirit.” And then, as I left, I looked back and saw your smile for the last time.
Years later, when I was in a different school where all the teachers were Misses and Misters, Pathfinder had a celebration to honor your life. Like a salmon returning to the riverbed of its birth, I eagerly came to the place where I was reborn so long ago, and I was amazed by just how many people had come to pay their respects to their former teacher and friend. You may no longer be with us, but your effect on the children of the world is still here, and strong. You have given yourself to your students, and so you give us a chance at something greater than ourselves, a chance to change the lives of others, to do what you did. For that, and for staying with me in spirit, I say, “thank you.”

-Levon

A candle was lit by Levon Reeves on June 11, 2021 9:24 AM

A candle was lit by Michelle Finet on February 18, 2018 2:15 AM

Message from Kevin Cole

October 7, 2017 3:13 PM

Everyone knows that Janet was a loving mother, an amazing teacher, and a wonderful, strong, fun, joyful person. Not everyone knows what a significate contribution she has made to early childhood special education in the U.S. and in other countries.
Janet, with Debbie Sherwood, worked for years developing a curriculum (Mediated Learning) that has been widely used in school districts and Head Start programs throughout the United States. In addition, it has been incorporated into programs in Europe and the Middle East, including translation into Arabic.
The extensive program allows teachers to serve young children with disabilities together with children who are developing in a typical way, using best practices in a developmentally appropriate manner. What this means in real life is that children with disabilities didn’t need to be taught using a drill and repetition approach that was popular at the time, and that they could be in classes with other children.
Janet’s work has benefitted tens of thousands of children and families. This was just one of her accomplishments, and it was far reaching.

A candle was lit by Michael and Kolleen Smith on October 6, 2017 8:48 PM

A candle was lit by lillian & akemi hart on October 6, 2017 2:21 PM

A candle was lit by Denise Hamilton on September 27, 2017 10:11 PM

Message from Mike Oliver

September 25, 2017 9:37 PM

Hello all. Click on photographs for a picture of the flyer for the 10/8 memorial.

Love,

Mike

A candle was lit by Joan McArtney, Roberta and Alec Martin on September 22, 2017 1:32 PM

Message from Joan McArtney

September 22, 2017 1:27 PM

My son was a Salmon Clanner 1997 - 1999. We were heartbroken to hear of Janet's illness and passing. Janet was a wonderful combination of intelligence, warmth, caring, and humor. Both children and parents who came through her classroom loved her, myself included. My thoughts and prayers are with her family at this difficult time. Her spirit will live on in all the children she so lovingly taught.

Message from Kelley Strange

September 22, 2017 7:48 AM

This obituary captures the essence of Janet that I've been trying to convey in my own words to everyone I know. Janet was such a wonderful person, and the world will feel ripples spreading out from her life for always. I think of her and you daily. I send you love and hope, Mike, Michael and Maggie, that you can sustain each other as you endure this time, And that you will remember that you can lean on so many friends. Kelley

A candle was lit by Kelley and Bill Strange on September 22, 2017 7:40 AM

Message from Kathy Henderson

September 21, 2017 10:55 AM

We were fortunate to be part of Janet's last class of salmon's at Pathfinder. I will always be grateful for the love and humor which guided her teaching. Even while fighting cancer, she had an amazing energy in the classroom and clear love of our children. We will never forget the positive impact she had on our Zachary and the other children fortunate enough to spend time in her classroom. What an amazing legacy she leaves. Much love to her family and friends. We love you Janet Osborn!

A candle was lit by The Henderson Family on September 21, 2017 10:51 AM

Message from Camille Burke

September 21, 2017 6:46 AM

My year in the Salmon Clan with Janet as my teacher was one of my best! Today, I work with students of the same age and remembering her patience, kindness and thoughtfulness helps me be a better teacher to them. I am so grateful to have had her as my teacher, even just for one year, as she helped mold me into the person I am today. Thank you, Janet.

Message from Eddie Westerman

September 20, 2017 10:14 PM

What we know in our family is that Janet launched so many children and got their entire school careers off to the kind of start any parent would want. She always honored each student and allowed that child to be that child's entire self. When our son marched into kindergarten the first day and informed Janet that he was pefectly ready for full day K as far as staying awake but NOT so willing to be with all of those people all day. He needed his down time, he told her. She didn't miss a beat...she looked him right in the eye and said, find your spot and claim it. I'll make sure you get what you need. He napped after lunch every day for a bit up until winter break.

One more Janet story. The two of us, somehow, decided with a whole bunch of other Pathfinder parents that serving beer and food at Mariner games was a good fundraising idea. What were we thinking? We trained -- we got food licenses and alcohol licenses and worked our tushes off more than a few times (yeah, Betty, you came along at least once) and we were exhausted and we usually made about $26 for the school. Oy. Hilarious. We laughed so hard those nights. We knew it was a bad idea but we were already deeply "in" and stayed committed. Good times. We were very blessed to have Janet as a teacher and a friend and we were equally blessed to get to know the rest of the family (even if we couldn't wake Maggie up from that deep, deep sleep on a night she babysat for the kids). We love you all and we continue thinking of you and keeping you in our hearts.

Message from Molly Gras-Usry

September 20, 2017 7:44 PM

I always appreciated and am eternally grateful to Janet for assisting my son in a successful kindergarten year when he wans't even her student! She truly honored team teaching supporting her fellow teacher by allowing her calmer classroom to be offered as a place of respite for my easily over stimulated son. She always asked about my kids even though they were never her students. I have great respect for Janet and her teaching style and her comitment to growing learners. It breaks my heart to think I'll never run into her at Pathfinder. All my love to her family.

A candle was lit by Julie, Michael and Aaron Black- Janet remains in our hearts on September 19, 2017 6:40 PM

Message from Bridget Daly

September 19, 2017 8:49 AM

Janet was my friend, and I am certain there are several hundred people who would say the same. Warm, funny, and kind, she made everyone feel important.. She will be missed enormously.

Message from The Yeabsley Family

September 19, 2017 7:53 AM

Janet team taught kindergarten with Stephen Gillette in 1995-96. I could always tell when it was her day to teach because Jeff would come home with his coat zipped up. She was a fabulous teacher too.

Michael, Michael and Maggie, I'm so so sorry for your loss. Wishing you peace, courage and fond memories to hold in your heart.

A candle was lit by Jennifer (Slife) Morgan on September 19, 2017 7:22 AM

A candle was lit by Lucy Copperberg on September 18, 2017 9:51 PM