1934
Janet
2018
Janet Armstrong
March 23, 1934 — June 21, 2018
It is with great sadness that we share the news that on June 21, 2018, at the age of 84, Janet Shearon Armstrong lost her fierce-hearted battle with lung cancer. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, friend, and was married to test pilot and astronaut Neil Armstrong.
Born in Wilmette, Illinois, Janet Elizabeth Shearon was the youngest of three daughters of Dr. Clarence and Louise Shearon. A graduate of New Trier High School, she then attended Purdue University in the School of Home Economics and was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority. In 1956, Jan and Neil married and eventually settled in the San Gabriel Mountains on the outskirts of Lancaster, California. From their home in Juniper Hills, Jan could see her husband flying experimental aircraft at Edwards Air Force Base in the distance. Together, Jan and Neil would move to Houston, Texas for the NASA space program, and afterwards to Lebanon, Ohio. In 1964, Jan founded and coached the El Lago Aquanauts synchronized swimming team and remained a supporter and advocate throughout her lifetime. After 38 years of marriage, Jan and Neil divorced and she became a resident of Utah, spending time in Deer Valley as well as St. George. Everywhere she went, Jan forged lifelong friendships and frequently attended reunions for not only her high school graduating class, but her kindergarten class as well. Additionally, she was a founding member of the KIT (Keep-In-Touch) group of astronaut wives that have remained close, to this day.
She is survived by two sons Rick and Mark, daughter-in-law Wendy; and also by 6 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren who knew her simply as “Cee Cee”. Jan’s second child and only daughter, Karen Anne “Muffie” Armstrong, died from a brain tumor at the age of 2 years, 9 months.
Janet received many awards and honors worldwide as a result of her courage and dedication during the American space program of the 1960s. By all that knew her, she will be remembered as a strong, warm and willful woman that always reunited with a big smile and shed tears in the parting. We ask only that you honor her by standing up for that in which you believe.
There will be a memorial gathering in remembrance of Janet Shearon Armstrong.
When: July 15, 1:00pm to 4:00 pm
Where: Golden Lamb Restaurant in Lebanon, Ohio.
Dress code: Chico’s casual (Chico's was Janet's favorite store.)
Janet truly loved nature and the outdoors, and spent countless hours exploring and hiking with friends and her canine companions. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the National Park Foundation. https://www.nationalparks.org/
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