Stanfordville, NY – Janet C. Murphy died on Sunday March 12th in Overland Park, Kansas.
Janet was born on May 23, 1949, in Garden City, KS, and grew up in Dighton, KS. Janet was the daughter of Elvin and Gladys Murphy. Janet’s childhood was spent in the close company of grandparents, aunts, uncles and many first cousins. Janet graduated from Dighton High School in 1967 and from the University of Kansas in 1971.
After graduating from the University of Kansas with a degree in music therapy, Janet moved to New Jersey for a summer internship. Soon after, Janet started working for the State of New York as a music therapist for developmentally disabled adults. Later Janet became a Treatment Team Leader for the Developmental Disabilities Services Office. In this position, she administratively managed 8 to 12 group homes at a time, as well as several day program centers, in various counties in the Hudson Valley. She was an excellent manager and was beloved by both her staff and clients. Janet retired in 2008.
Outside of her job for the State of New York, Janet was actively involved in the music therapy community and committed her time to organizing annual regional music therapy conferences. She was a mentor to many working in music therapy and inspired her colleagues to dedicate their time serving their profession.
Janet resided in the Hudson Valley of New York and enjoyed the beauty and nature of the area- particularly the fall foliage. Janet also had a passion for sailing and spent many years sailing her boat on the Hudson River with friends.
A lover of jazz and blues, she annually attended the Saratoga Jazz Festival with a group of friends every summer for 35 consecutive years. The group bonded over great music, good food and laughter and published an annual newsletter, The Blanketeer, regaling the highlights and humorous moments from the previous year.
Over the decades that Janet lived in the Hudson Valley, she made many friends through her work and interests and enjoyed an active social life. Janet had a welcoming spirit and always brought joy and laughter to those around her. She cherished spending time with family and friends and she will be dearly missed.
Affectionately known as “Auntie J” to her niece and nephews, Janet is survived by her sister, Marilyn K. Slezak, niece Brooke Slezak, nephew, Thomas Slezak, Jr., five grand nephews and one grand niece.
A celebration of Janet’s life will be held for family and friends on Sunday, May 28th at 11am at La Puerta Azul, 2510 Route 44, Millbrook, NY.
Memorial contributions in Janet’s honor may be made to the National Park Foundation, 1110 Vermont Ave, NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20005 or through their website: www.nationalparks.org .
