Janet Wood of Rumson, 88, passed away peacefully in her home Dec. 3, 2021, with her loving family by her side, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
She was born Feb. 12, 1933, in Hoboken to Cecilia Toohey and Matthew “Patrick” Kennedy.
During her 25 years in Hoboken, she graduated from Our Lady of Grace Elementary School, The Academy of the Sacred Heart, Fordham University and finished up with a master’s from Seton Hall University.
After her schooling, she went into teaching in the Hoboken school system, where she met her husband George. They were happily married for 54 years. In 1963 they relocated to Rumson where they raised three children, Chris, Alison and Janet.
In 1974, Sister Clarita, principal of Holy Cross School asked if she would help out when a teacher left for maternity leave. It turned into a 28-year stint of pure dedication to Holy Cross where she loved every minute of it. Janet served as an assistant principal to five principals and taught reading throughout all grades which was her passion. She then served as the first lay principal during the 1990s during some reorganization at the school.
Janet began the tradition of the living rosary, the Christmas bazaar and spelling bees. She worked tirelessly for her students and positively impacted so many students who passed through the doors of Holy Cross School over the years. Her dedication to Holy Cross was unwavering.
For many years she was a lector and a Eucharistic Minister at Holy Cross Parish. Before and after her retirement she continued her involvement with the social concerns committee, eventually having the Stars for Jesus and a Thanksgiving drive at the parish. She also dedicated her time and energy wherever needed. During Hurricane Sandy she helped out daily in Sea Bright, preparing and serving food comforting others. That’s what she did.
Janet fully enjoyed life, loved the ocean and all the fun-filled years with friends first at Surfrider Beach Club and then at Ship Ahoy. Her travels with George and her Fordham buddies are well-recorded in numerous albums along with many notes. She always enjoyed having fun and was always the last to leave a party. She really enjoyed her life.
Her kindness and humor will be missed by all who knew her. Her life reflected all the ideals that were so important to her being: integrity, honesty, dignity, grace and respect for others. She was always a pure joy to be with.
Janet is survived by her three loving children, Christopher Wood of Monmouth Beach (Kim), Alison Kennedy and her husband Robert of Fair Haven and Janet Shaheen and her husband Philip of Locust and her beloved grandchildren, Meghan and Kyle. She is also survived by her sister Patricia (Pat) Buerck of Avon-by-the Sea, along with many loving nieces and nephews, and her dearest friend Barbara Lyons of Sarasota, Florida.
We would like to invite you to reminisce with memories as we commemorate the life of Janet. Her celebration of life will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 10 at Holy Cross Church, Rumson, followed by burial at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Middletown. Anyone who wishes to honor Janet’s life is asked to make a contribution to Lunch Break in Red Bank at donatenow.networkforgood.org/lunchbreak.
Memories and condolences may be shared at johnedayfuneralhome.com.
The article originally appeared in the December 9 – 15, 2021 print edition of The Two River Times.
