Janet Ann Murray

Janet A. Murray (Sommers), 88, of Appleton, WI, passed away peacefully at Grace Commons in Menomonee Falls, WI, on September 17, 2024. She was born and raised in West Allis, WI, as the fourth child of Bertha M. and Joseph T. Sommers. Janet graduated from Milwaukee County General Hospital School of Nursing in 1957. In 1962, she married Michael J. Murray and moved to Appleton, WI, where they lived and raised their three daughters: Margie (Bob) Paffrath of Germantown, WI, Kathy (John) Massie of Germantown, WI, and Mary (Dave) Zajakala of Des Plaines, IL.

Janet worked at St. Elizabeth Hospital as a nurse and later volunteered with several service groups through St. Mary’s Church in Appleton. Her passion was quilting and sewing. She sewed her own wedding dress, many of her children’s and grandchildren’s Halloween costumes, and spent endless hours creating beautiful quilts for family and friends. She was a long-time member of the Darting Needles Quilt Guild in Appleton.

Janet was extremely artistic and enjoyed crafting with her kids and grandchildren: Michael (Kayla) Paffrath, Anna (Kelly) McCann, Joseph (Anna) Paffrath, Ashtin (Eric) Hesselbach, Taylor Massie, Allison, and John Zajakala. She was overjoyed to meet her first great grandchild, Cameron Paffrath (Michael and Kayla) earlier in 2024. While skiing was not her favorite activity, she happily went along on many family ski trips to enjoy time with her family and grandchildren. Janet and Michael also enjoyed many weekends together at their cottage, hiking and ski trips in Colorado, and numerous visits to Europe and Asia to experience new cultures.

A private graveside service will be held for Janet at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Appleton, WI, at a later date. Her family would like to thank the staff at Grace Commons Memory Care and Brighton Hospice for their care. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Fox Valley Memory Project at: https://www.foxvalleymemoryproject.org/donate.