Janette Marie Schwartz's Obituary
Janette’s life began on February 2, 1956, when she joined the family of Richard and DeNelda Schwartz in Portland, Oregon, as their third daughter. Janette was a happy child and was always exploring.
She received her elementary education at Portland Union Grade School followed by one year of high school at Columbia Adventist Academy in Battleground, Washington. Following her first year of high school, her parents moved to Minnesota, and she transferred to Maplewood Adventist Academy where she thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of dormitory life, always in the middle of a fun time. Several of her life-long friends were made during these years.
She continued her education at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska, and when her parents were called to Northern California, she moved with them and began working at the Church’s regional office as an administrative assistant while also finishing a massage therapy course. Following several years at the conference office, she moved to Indiana and worked in the agricultural department of Purdue University for a few years.
She returned to the Northwest and began working for Select Care Health Plans, a health insurance company in Longview, Washington, where she eventually became the Coordinator of the Customer Care Center and later Operations Manager for the lower Columbia region.
When Select Care merged with Providence Health Care, she moved to Scappoose, working as Premium Administration Manager and later as Membership Accounting Manager for the Providence Health Care System. She retired from there in 2019, having had a full and positive experience working for Providence. Many of her hospital stays in the last several years were at Providence, St Vincent Hospital, in Beaverton where upon learning she was a former employee of the Providence Health Care System, the medical staff treated her like family. She had nothing but high praise for St. Vincent Hospital and the Providence Health Care System, so it was only fitting that she passed away there on April 11, 2024.
Janette loved people, she loved adventure, and she loved the water! During her early years, her father was the youth director for the Oregon Conference of Seventh-day Adventists which meant that from the time school was out in the Spring until school began in the Fall, the whole family lived at Big Lake Youth Camp just above Sisters, Oregon at the summit of McKenzie Pass. This gave her the opportunity to enjoy many water sports and outdoor activities. Swimming was one of her favorite activities along with waterskiing and driving the boat. Enjoying the beauties of nature were always at the heart of what she loved.
When she was old enough, she co-owned a boat with her dad, and when able bought her own ski boat. In 2004 she bought her much-loved 36-foot Sea Ray power boat and named it “Sweet Liberty”. It indeed gave her the freedom she so much loved. Over the last weeks and months as she lost much of her independence, she was adamant that “Sweet Liberty” would be the last thing she would give up. It was her place of joy for the last 20 years.
Adventure was always on Janette’s “To Do” list. Enjoying her boat, jet ski, motorcycle, van, sports car, or jeep provided her some of her best times and memories. Whether it was a jeep trip to the beach, a motorcycle ride in the hills with her friends, a camping trip in the van by herself, or spending time aboard “Sweet Liberty” on the river with her fellow boater friends, she was always planning for the next adventure!
Janette also enjoyed traveling and made several international trips to Europe, Asia, and South America. Just last summer she joined a family trip to Iceland. That brought her so much joy! She said it was one of the top trips she has taken in her life!
Each of her friends were privileged to experience Janette’s big heart, and her caring spirit. You all as friends experienced this, and as her family, so did we. Also, as you, we experienced the parties with decorations and delicious food that only she could dream up. She was a caring, devoted sister to Judy and Karen, one of the coolest aunts ever to Andrew and Sarah, and a fun great-aunt to Bethany and Abigail. She always made life fun! And that is how she wanted people to remember her – that she made life fun.
She loved her family deeply and always went out of her way for them. Overseeing the care for her mom for the last nearly 12 years was an act of love and dedication, and it is appreciated more than we can express.
Janette loved her community and served in several clubs and organizations. One was the Multnomah Channel Yacht Club where she served most recently as Chaplain. Another volunteer position she held was at the Elks Lodge 1999 where she volunteered at the Bunker helping local veterans. Because her father had served in the US Navy, she had the dream to volunteer to support former servicemen once she retired. And this she did with love and appreciation for our veterans.
She loved her church family here in Scappoose-St. Helens and over the years actively participated in the worship team, music ministry team, and of course, the social activity team. The Scappoose Adventist School was extra special to her as was the Pathfinder Club. She helped with fundraising for school improvements, donated various items for fundraiser events, and even ground wheat and sold it and donated the money to the school or Pathfinder Club.
One of the special events that she participated in was being the officiant at the wedding of Matt and Val Knight, some of her closest friends. She became licensed so she could “tie the knot” for them, and this was a very special and meaningful experience for her as well as for Matt and Val.
Janette’s pillars of life were Faith • Courage • Strength • Wisdom • Joy.
This is what she had as the tagline at the bottom of all her emails. And in the hospital, she told the medical team that these were what she lived by.
FAITH: Faith in God and being a part of a faith community anchors your soul.
COURAGE: When you face challenges, buckle in, grit your teeth, and just do what needs to be done.
STRENGTH: You are stronger than you think. Believe in yourself and be strong.
WISDOM: Always seek wisdom from God and from others.
JOY: You can choose joy. Joy doesn’t automatically come to you; it is a choice that only you can make.
Many of you were members of her “Team Joynette” and were given purple lapel flower pins that she created to help support her through her journey with cancer. She indeed chose joy.
Janette is survived by her mother, DeNelda Schwartz; her two sisters, Judy Schwartz and Karen Porter and brother-in-law Michael Porter; a nephew, Andrew Porter along with his wife Brenda and their two children Bethany and Abigail; a niece, Sarah Porte; and numerous friends.
Until we see Janette again, may you hold on to the pillars of her life,
Faith • Courage • Strength • Wisdom • Joy
What’s your fondest memory of Janette?
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Describe a day with Janette you’ll never forget.
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