Janet M. (Blackford) Holloway

Janet Holloway, 91, passed away on May 1, 2022. She was born January 5, 1931, in Russell, Ohio to the late Joseph and Evelyn (Bestor) Blackford and grew up on the family farm in Parkman.

Janet had a love of medicine and education. She dreamed of being a doctor but, as was typical in those days, her parents didn’t feel that money should be spent on a girl going to medical school. So instead, Janet pursued nursing. She began her training at Trumbull Memorial Hospital in Warren in 1948 and was hired as a head nurse in the polio unit at Akron Children’s Hospital in 1952.

During this time, Janet made room for another love – the love of her life, Arthur E. Holloway. They met at a dance in Akron and after an occasionally long-distance courtship (with Arthur’s stints in the military and minor league baseball), they were married in 1953 on the CBS live reality TV program "Bride and Groom" in New York City. Janet wore a dress she designed and sewed herself.

Janet obtained a master’s degree while working full time and raising their two sons with the babysitting assistance of “Grandma Buttons,” Art’s mom. She retired in 1994 as a Senior Instructor in the Children’s Division of Nursing Education where she taught pediatric care to nursing students. She also advised the Explorer Scout program at Children’s and continued to use her medical background by becoming “mom doc” to her grandchildren. In addition, Janet was among a group of Children’s employees that started the clown group “Just Kids”. As “Pockets” the clown, Janet made monthly visits to the hospital to entertain and distract the little ones and their parents.

Janet was recognized with the Summit-Portage Chapter of the Ohio Nurses Association’s Distinguished Nurse of the Year Award in 1991. She served on the ONA’s Human Rights Committee and its State Legislative Committee, where health care bills were reviewed to establish the ONA’s position on related legislation.

Janet was a member of Manchester United Methodist Church where she, again, put her medical expertise to use, proudly serving as parish nurse and coordinator for Faith in Action Inter-Faith Caregivers. She also started an after-school Kid’s Club ministry.

Throughout their life together, Janet was fiercely loyal to her husband Arthur and enjoyed traveling with him, especially on cruises or beach vacations. She also enjoyed spending hours in her massive garden after their sons were grown.

Janet was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Arthur E. Holloway; brothers Harold and Roy; and sister Lucile Thompson. She is survived by sons, Brian (Jane) and Craig (Judy) Holloway; grandsons, Luke (Kristan), Jacob (Erin), Adam (Carla), Cameron (Abigail), and Connor (Mary); great-granddaughters, Kaelin, Kyah, Keave, and Greylyn; great-grandson, Elton; sister-in-law, Joyce (Bill) Spencer; caregiver and friend Teresa Perrot.

A memorial service will be held at 1 P.M. on Saturday, June 4, 2022, at Schermesser Funeral Home, 600 E. Turkeyfoot Lake Road, Akron, Ohio 44319 with Pastor Craig D’Anniballe officiating. Family and friends may call on Saturday from 11 A.M. until the time of the service at the funeral home. Inurnment will take place at Lakewood Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made in Janet’s name to the Alzheimer's Association, Greater East Ohio Area Chapter, 23215 Commerce Park, STE 300, Beachwood, Ohio 44122, or to the Akron Children's Hospital Foundation, One Perkins Square, Akron, Ohio 44398-6176. To leave a special message online for the family, visit our website at www.schermesserfh.com.

SCHERMESSER
(330) 899-9107
www.schermesserfh.com

Memorial Contributions:

Alzheimer's Association
Greater East Ohio Area Chapter   
23215 Commerce Park, STE 300   
Beachwood, Ohio 44122   

OR

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