Dr. Janet W. Sommerville of Payson, AZ passed away December 16th, 2015 after a short illness at the age of 92. Janet was born in Marquette, Michigan on January 1st, 1923 to Willard and “Teedle” Worrell. Janet’s lifelong love of learning began at Tulane University where she earned a degree in Business in 1943. After graduation, she accepted a job with the State Department where her first post took her to the US Embassy in Paris during WWII; she ultimately worked with the French Underground during the occupation. She returned stateside after the war to study at Women’s Medical College in Pennsylvania where she earned her medical degree in 1953. The following year she became a fellow at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, practicing hematology, where she met her future husband Robert. She eventually traveled the southwest looking for a place to plant roots. After gazing upon a sunset from South Mountain, she fell in love with Arizona. As fate would have it, she moved to Phoenix in 1958 where she and Bob were married November 9th, 1959. Janet and Bob practiced medicine together for nearly 30 years while raising their three sons: Ben, Jon, and Thomas. In 1989, they built their dream home and retired to Payson, Arizona. There they built a wonderful life and had many dear friends. Janet was a true giver and thoroughly embodied the spirit of service. She volunteered her time and generously donated to many philanthropic causes. Janet relished in the simple pleasures of nature and found joy in gardening, bird watching, and simply being outdoors. Her zest for life lives on in her three sons: Ben (Tammy), Jon (Margaret), and Thomas; and her grandchildren: Kate, Sarah, Nicholas, Noelle, and Christopher.
The family held a private internment last week. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Hospice Compassus 511 Mud Springs Rd., Payson, AZ 85541 (928) 472-6340.
↧
Obituary for Janet W. Sommerville
↧