Obituary of Janet Elaine Watt

Janet Elaine Watt

11/21/1945 – 3/16/2024

Janet passed away from Metastatic Ocular (Uveal) Melanoma at the age of 78. She was at home surrounded by her family.

She was born in Windsor, Ontario, Canada to John “Jack’ and Doris (Ainslie) Watt. Her family moved to Roseville, Michigan when she was in 5th grade. She graduated from Roseville High School in 1963.

With a love of learning, Janet went on to college at University of Michigan and Wayne State University, where she earned her BS in elementary education. She also earned her MS in elementary education from Wayne State. She later earned her PhD from the University of Minnesota in educational policy and leadership. Then for fun, she earned another MS in library and information science from Wayne State just prior to her retirement after an entire career in K-12 education.

Janet began her career as an elementary school teacher and reading specialist in Michigan. After moving to Minnesota in 1979, she worked as a basic skills specialist for the MN Department of Education. She then became Principal of Beaver Lake Elementary in Maplewood, MN. In 1997, she returned to Michigan to finish her career as Principal of Ferry Elementary in Grosse Pointe. She retired in 2005 and moved back to Minnesota to spend more time with her daughter and two granddaughters.

She was a natural leader who served as President of many associations and clubs over the years, including her HOA, the MN Reading Association, Indian Hills Golf Club Women’s 9-hole league, and Seven Lakes Golf Club Women’s league.

Janet and her late-husband Richard Wakefield spent their winters in Palm Springs, CA playing golf at Seven Lakes Golf Club. They developed a wonderful community of friends there.

Her greatest passion was quilting. She learned to sew from her mother as a child, however, didn’t begin quilting until age 50. She made many beautiful art quilts for family and friends, and was an active member of Minnesota Quilters Inc. She won 1st and 2nd place ribbons from MN Quilters in 2014 and 2015. Serendipitously, Janet passed away on National Quilting Day.

Janet is preceded in death by her husband Richard Wakefield, parents John “Jack” and Doris (Ainslie) Watt, brother James Michael Watt, brother-in-law Michael Muth.

She is survived by her daughter Kimberly Nuckles of Mendota Heights, MN, sister Patricia Muth of Port Huron, MI, brother John (Karen) Watt of Harrison Twp., MI, sister-in-law Jil Watt, Prescott, MI, granddaughters Madyn and Kira DuPaul of Mendota Heights, MN. Stepdaughters Cathy Marsh and Karen (Joel) Porter, stepson Doug Wakefield all of Hudson, WI, as well as many nieces, nephews and step grandchildren.

Cremation by Cremation Society of MN. No service will be held. Memorial donations suggested to Ocular Melanoma Foundation (ocularmelanoma.org).