Janet Schey Gregg
January 23, 1945 – September 6, 2023
Loving wife of the late William Robert Gregg. Beloved mother to Heather (Scott) Marquis and Vonya (Dan) Bickford; grandmother of Josh Marquis, Abby Marquis, and Hannah Marquis; and sister of Marti (Jim) Hurst and Ralph (Cheryl) Schey, and former spouse of Earl P. Murphy Jr.. Dear friend to many.
Janet was born in Louisville, KY and attended Southern High School. She graduated from Western Kentucky University with a degree in Education, eventually earning a Master’s Degree in Library Science from the University of Missouri. She loved reading and her career as a librarian was a perfect fit. She worked in the library for various St. Louis area schools as well as several years at the St. Louis County Library Headquarters. After retirement, she devoted much of her time to volunteering at area school libraries.
Janet loved playing tennis and had recently started playing pickleball. She also enjoyed bicycling and even entered the Senior Olympics bike race. She spent many summer vacations at Black River Lodge in Lesterville, MO, taking her daughters there when they were young and continuing the tradition with her grandchildren, whom she adored and was incredibly proud of. She loved animals and had a soft spot for cats. She also loved children and was a Nanny for a family with two toddlers. Janet was incredibly generous with her time and would go out of her way to help others. Those who were lucky enough to know her would say that she always thought of others before herself. She had many friends and her optimistic and energetic presence will dearly be missed.
Services: Janet will be laid to rest with her late husband at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery on Friday, September 29, 2023, at 1:00 pm. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 30, 2023, at Kutis Funeral Home 10151 Gravois Rd, from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm. Guests are also invited to a luncheon following the service on Saturday (TBD). In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you send donations to one of Janet’s favorite charities: The St. Louis Food Bank or St. Louis Area Animal Shelters.
I am very saddened to see the loss of Janet. I worked with her in the Rockwood schools. She was a very kind, caring person and made a great librarian. I was happy to see she was so active after retirement. Anyone who knew her will miss her.
My wife Judi knew Janet through library work. Judi also has an MLS from the University of Missouri. I met her husband Bill when he played the bagpipe in the John Ford Highland Bagpipe Band, and I played the Bass Drum. Janet was an articulate, kind and helpful lady. Sorry to hear of her passing.
Janet and I went to Southern high school and graduated together. I remember well, she was a cheerleader who could do the splits in the air. The last time she came to one of our reunions many of us, women remarked on how great she looked, how well she had taken care of herself, and how little she had changed. She was one of those special people in my life that will remain in my memory bank as a very good and caring person with a wonderful personality.
I can’t remember crying this much as not only did I lose a great friend, my kids loss what felt like was their grandmother. I miss her so much and she was the best caretaker for my two kids. I think about her daily and show pictures of her to my kids so they will not forget what a great person she was. Selfless to a fault. Absolutely, the salt of the earth. She will be missed dearly. It still doesn’t feel real and I still wake up expecting her to walk through the door. Sometimes my kids say her name and it feels like her spirit is still with us. We love you Janet.
Janet talked about your children so much, it was as though she was their grandmother. My thoughts are with you and the children at this difficult time of adjustment. May you and they always remember her!
Her friend and former colleague in Clayton snd Rockwood Schools.
Janet talked a lot about how much she loved taking care of your kids. I had hoped to meet them one day but our lunches or breakfasts were away from her home.
I knew Janet from our days of Scottish Country Dancing many years ago. She was always a cheerful, fun partner and a good dancer.
I hadn’t seen Janet since last winter and was very saddened to learn that she had died . I so looked forward to her Christmas cards. Her passing is a real loss.
Peter Wollenberg
So very sad to hear of Janet’s passing. We worked together in the library at Clayton High School. Some of our kids were classmates at the Lindbergh schools. She was fond of the special anniversary returns of the original Disney classics! She would gather with me and my youngest children, or any others who were interested, for dates to see these movies. My kids remember she always brought Junior Mints to share!
I was also in awe of her talent and participation in the Scottish Dances.
She and Bill included me once for one of the annual Scottish Society banquet celebrations of Bobbie Burns’ birthday (which I shared) and close to her birthday two days earlier.
We often shared greetings for our birthdays’ proximity. I recall celebrating her 75th at a lunch date in early 2020.
Janet was one of the first to send me a beautifully written personal condolence message this past January when my husband passed. She will be sadly missed and remembered for her thoughtfulness.
If we could just slow down enough
To consider what’s true and real
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.
To do these things we will live a life as Janet.
Janet was the sister I never had. We both loved cats, music, and reading. I will miss her as my former sister in law and caring woman she was .
Sorry for everyone’s loss.
Blessings,
Lynn Murphy
My sincerest condolences to all of Janet’s family. It’s hard to believe that’s she is gone. Janet was so full of life and was so generous of her time. She is very missed.
We knew Janet through our neighbors. She was their children’s babysitter, but she was so much more than that. We all grew fond of Janet including my 10 year.old daughter. She would always look for Janet outside playing with the kids, so she could run up and join along.
She is the type of person that would light up a room when she walked in; full of energy and a truly one of a kind spirit.
I am so sorry for your families loss and pray that you find comfort in knowing the joy Janet brought to so many and that she will continue to live on in everyone’s memory.
She was so kind to many. I could see how loved she was whenever she was around others. I only know her as my family saw her as “grandma”. She will surely be missed. A super kind and sweet soul that felt so loved with my niece and nephew, Stella and Stefan. I wish I got to know her more closely as my family did. Whenever she was around, she showed so much care and love – it’s hard to ignore such a beautiful soul she was.
We will always remember feeling like home around Janet. Her presence always came with a cool confidence and the knowledge that everything was going to be okay because she was there. Janet was safety, she was a watchful eye, an understanding ear, and a compassionate heart. Our boys lovingly called her “Grams” just like her own family would. The world seems a little dimmer now that she is gone but those of us who hold her in our hearts are sure to burn brighter for having known her.
I was deeply saddened to learn of Janet’s passing. I worked with Janet at the library. She was a friend, and a kind and caring person. She was generous with her time and knowledge. She often spoke of her family and her grandchildren, all of whom she was immensely proud of.
My heartfelt sympathies go out to her family. I wish you comfort and peace as you cope with her loss.
Mom,
I am so lucky to have had you as a role model. You were kind to everyone, human and animal. You always thought of others before yourself and were always willing to help. You let me spread my wings and make my own decisions, while gently guiding me in the right direction. When I made mistakes, you were there to support me, never judgmental. Thank you for everything and for just being the genuine person you were. Happy birthday today. I love you and I miss you terribly.