April 23, 1938 – March 11, 2016
Janet Partel
Janet, of Bellevue, Washington, passed away peacefully in her home after a battle with pancreatic cancer. She was surrounded by family and her beloved dog, Bentley.
Born in Tacoma, Washington to Louis and Inez Weir and the eldest of eight children, Janet was a graduate of Franklin Pierce High School. Shortly after high school, she moved to Honolulu, Hawaii. This began her lifelong love of Hawaii – the people, the flowers, the music, the sun and beaches. After working there for over a year in banking, she then began her career as a flight attendant with Northwest Airlines. She moved back to Washington, and soon after, met her future husband, Walter, at the Wedgewood apartments up the hill from the SeaTac airport. After Walter moved to St. Louis, Missouri for work, they continued their courtship, with Janet commuting there between her flights. They married in St. Louis in 1970. They moved back to Seattle in 1972, and saved money for a year to purchase a house in Bellevue, the same house where they raised their two daughters, and in which Janet spent her final days.
Janet was proud of her 48 years of service with Northwest Airlines, and particularly of becoming a Purser in the last part of her career. She cherished her friendships with her extended airline family, which made the decision to retire in 2008 particularly difficult for her. After her retirement, she and her husband, Walter, enjoyed many cruises around the world and yearly vacations in Mazatlán, Mexico.
She was a devoted wife and mother of two, and was delighted to become a grandmother in September of 2015. She will be remembered for her thoughtfulness and generous heart, her excellent cooking and passion for gardening, and her talent as a seamstress. She will be missed greatly.
Janet is survived by her husband, Walter, of 46 years; daughters, Monica Partel of Seattle, Andrea Pinger (Michael) and granddaughter, Hildie, of Oregon City, Oregon. Also, her mother, Inez Weir Van Antwerp, her seven siblings, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Janet’s funeral liturgy will be held at St. Madeline Sophie Catholic Parish (4400 130th Pl SE, Bellevue, Washington) on Saturday, April 16th at 11am, with a celebration of her life to follow in the Parish social hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle.