Obituary of Janet L. Quaife

Janet L. Quaife was born on December 16, 1947 in Hampton, Iowa, the daughter of Charles & Helen (Harms) Quaife.  Upon the death of her father in 1963, the family moved to Saint Paul, Minnesota where Janet graduated from St. Paul Central High School.  She attended Hamline University and graduated with a double major in English Literature and Music.  In 1968, she married David Jones in St. Paul and they resided in Perham, Minnesota where they had two children, Charles and Deborah.  They purchased a newspaper in Northern California and became the owners, publishers and editors of the Cotati Call.

After David’s sudden death in 1976, Janet and the children returned to St. Paul where Janet began her career as a paralegal ending with a 28 year career at the O’Gorman Law Office.  Following retirement, Janet delved into the game of bridge by participating at the Bridge Center of St. Paul and racking up several masters’ points.

Janet was active in DFL politics, and she was in great demand as a church organist and as a pianist for local productions.  She enjoyed music, particularly the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and the Minnesota Orchestra.  She also enjoyed U.S. and international travel, and watching her granddaughters’ athletic and artistic performances.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, David; and her son, Charles.  Janet is survived by her daughter, Deborah (Mark) Franco; her sister, Ruth (Bob) Gottwaldt; granddaughters, Marisa and Sally Franco; and her nieces, nephews and many friends.

Memorial Service will be held on Friday, October 11th, 2019 at 11:30a.m. at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 900 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota.  Memorials are preferred to Hamline University.