Janet Maureen Sowers
Janet Maureen (Lay) Sowers November 1959 – January 2025
Janet passed away peacefully on January 13, 2025 from complications related to diabetes and Parkinson’s disease. She was under hospice care at Fair Oaks Hospital at the time.
Janet was born in Detroit, Michigan as the fourth child of Seward and Mary Lay. She had five siblings in total: Mary Champagne, John Lay, Michael Lay, Patricia Woodbury, and Kathleen Wang, all of whom survive her. Janet is also survived by her husband of nearly 14 years, Gary Sowers.
Janet graduated from Riverside High School in Dearborn Heights, Michigan and attended a nearby community college for two years. She worked in a variety of professions throughout her life: making pizza at Little Caesars, a bank teller, owner of a cleaning service, and finally, as a massage therapist where she truly excelled. Janet had a special talent for removing others’ pain through massage, cupping, and hot stone therapy. It was through massage that she and Gary first met. They fell in love with each other at that first massage session, which surprised them both. From the very beginning, they felt that God was their matchmaker. They married on May 14, 2011.
Throughout her life, Janet’s real joy came from being with children. She enjoyed so much being with her many nieces and nephews, first and second cousins, neighborhood children, and any baby or young child in the room. But her best role came when she could be the grandma for Gary’s grandchildren, Zene and Anna, since his first wife had died before their grandchildren were born.
Janet’s memorial service and interment are being held at Fairfax Presbyterian Church, 10723 Main Street, Fairfax, VA where she and Gary are members. The service will take place Saturday January 25 at 11:00 a.m. Interment of her ashes on the church property will follow the service. A luncheon, open to all attendees, will then be held in the church’s Fellowship Hall where all can celebrate Janet’s life and support the family.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Fairfax Presbyterian Church may be made in memory of Janet through the church’s website at https://fairfaxpresbyterian.org.
be free of pain my friend
So sorry to hear of Janet’s passing, my thought’s and prayers are with you all.
❤️Patty Mitchell & family
Janet led a mini-spa day for some of us in GIGS. We are grateful to her.