Thursday, March 28, 2024
46.9 F
Kilmarnock

Janet L.N. McKinstry

Janet L.N. McKinstry

WARRENTON—On April 12, 2018, following less than one day of In-Home Hospice Care, the loved ones of Janet Louise New McKinstry were dealt a brutal blow when she released her mortal pain and chose to join her beloved husband, Bill, in Heaven.

As a true Southern Belle, Janet excelled at creating gorgeous gardens, planning spectacular events and pulling together incredible wardrobe and jewelry ensembles for herself and others. As a mother, wife, daughter and sister, she doted upon her family, choosing to spoil them with her incredibly delicious and decadent desserts such as her signature Texas sheet and rum cakes.

When not devising a new culinary masterpiece, Janet might be found dancing with her husband, swinging and dipping to the rhythms of classic country and 50s rock, as they swayed, hand-in-hand, across many a dance floor.

In addition to a shared love of music and dance, Janet and Bill often sought solace and relaxation, as well as excitement and entertainment, as expert anglers. She may have worn pearls and heels, but she was also adept at baiting a hook, casting a line and outwitting any fish naïve enough to cross under the bow of her boat, the Jan M.

Such vacations, vacation toys, and an early retirement home on the water were affordable due to Janet’s keen intellect and grasp of the fluctuating futures of the New York Stock Market. Her exceptional intellect and financial prowess also served to ensure that both her children were afforded first rate college educations, at schools of their choice, without either child enduring the burden of such costs.

As time passed, Janet expanded her maternal role to that of family matriarch, providing counsel, assistance and the occasional rescue to many of the young, and not-so-young, people who entered her life. Following retirement and a brief bout with empty nest syndrome, she became more focused on community issues, becoming, possibly, the first and only woman to start a Moose Club; here her motives were not completely altruistic, as she hoped the newly formed organization might provide her husband with enough interest that he would finally get out of her hair (her words).

Once she was freed to spend her time as she wished, she continued to putter in her garden, experiment with grand desserts and support the local library and book stores with her insatiable and voracious appetite for humorous Southern mystery novels. As she settled into days of leisure, it was not unusual to find Janet curled in a chair, mystery novel in hand, iced glass of sweet tea within easy reach, and 50 pounds of fluffy Australian shepherd spread across her lap.

Her dogs were no less her children than the daughter and son to whom she gave birth. Over the years, her love resulted in quite a few lectures from the family veterinarian regarding the extra pounds and pudge, and rolls that each of her furbabies carried. But, that’s what Mommies do; they ensure their families are well-fed, well-cared for, and well-loved.

The love and unconditional support she spread on this Earth cannot be calculated, but its impact may be readily seen in the confidence, demeanor and generosity of all those who sprouted under her wings.

Sadly, Janet, the middle child of a fairly large family, was the last surviving sibling. Preceding her in death were her oldest brother, Gene New; her oldest sister, Mildred Long; her baby sister, Virginia Murray; and her baby brother, Gus New. Her husband, William “Bill” McKinstry also preceded her.

Surviving her are her daughter and son-in-law, Marjorie McKinstry-Miller and Mark Miller; her son and daughter-in-law, William A. McKinstry III and Michelle McKinstry; three grandchildren, Marina, Josie and TJ McKinstry; and two step-grandsons, Matthew and Jonathan Bailey.

A pastor-led service will be held at 2 p.m. today, Thursday, April 19, at Moser Funeral Home in Warrenton. A graveside service will follow at Midland Cemetery in Midland.

Rappahannock Record Staff
Rappahannock Record Staffhttp://www.rrecord.com
From the Rappahannock Record news team

Follow us on Social Media

Your Local Weather

Kilmarnock
overcast clouds
46.9 ° F
48.7 °
44.7 °
81 %
1mph
100 %
Fri
55 °
Sat
65 °
Sun
66 °
Mon
59 °
Tue
53 °