Lillian Janet Teel Sharninghouse, 83, passed away peacefully at her home in Carefree, Ariz., on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2013, surrounded by those who loved her.

Janet was born on March 5th, 1930 and was the oldest of three children born to Dr. and Mrs. Charles and Lillian Teel in Bellingham, Wash. She attended the Campus School in Bellingham, the Annie Wright Seminary School, the Helen Bush School in Seattle and the University of Washington, where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta and graduated with a degree in Home Economics.

On Sept. 9, 1953, she married her childhood friend and the love of her life, George Sharninghouse. They recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Together they raised two daughters, Jane and Laura. Over the years, they lived in Bellevue and Tacoma, Wash.; Burlingame, San Marino, and Pasadena Calif.; and Portland, Ore.

In 1992, George and Janet retired to Carefree, Ariz. where they both loved living in the sunny, quiet and peaceful Sonoran Desert, surrounded by natural beauty.

Until recently, Janet and George returned every summer to the beautiful Pacific Northwest and the summer cabin on Orcas Island in Washington that Janet’s grandparents built over 100 years ago. There they loved the ever-changing seascape, and looked forward to re-uniting with family and lifelong friends and spending time with their children and grandchildren on summer vacations.

Janet had a sharp mind and a keen sense of humor. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother.

Preceding her in death are her parents; and her daughter, Susan Lynn Sharninghouse in 1960. She is survived by the love of her life and devoted husband George Sharninghouse; daughter Jane Sharninghouse and husband Donald Fox of Woodside, Calif; daughter Laura Roche and husband Patrick Roche of Wichita Falls, Texas; five grandchildren: Samuel Fox of Woodside, Calif; Paige Fox of Los Angeles, Calif.; Benjamin Roche of College Station, Texas; Ian Roche and Chad Roche both of Wichita Falls, Texas; and two brothers: Charles W. Teel of Bellingham, Wash. and Paul W. Teel of Mukilteo, Wash; and of course, her faithful dog Charlie.

Janet will be laid to rest at a small family ceremony on Orcas Island, Wash. Memorial contributions in memory of Janet Sharninghouse can be made to The Kiwanis Club of Carefree Benefit Foundation, Attention: Building Fund, P.O. Box 1498, Carefree, Ariz. 85377, or the Orcas Island Historical Society, donation information online at www.orcasmuseum.org/about-us/donate-now/.