Janet Ruth (Allen) Day

Janet Ruth (Allen) Day, 75, of Portsmouth, Ohio, went home to be with her Lord & Savior on February 19, 2023 after a long battle with vascular dementia.  She was born in Portsmouth, Ohio, to Frank J. & Ada Beryl (Gilliland) Allen on August 4, 1947.  She grew up on Pleasant Avenue with her two sisters.  She attended East High School, class of 1965, where she formed many lifelong friendships and developed an appreciation for learning.  She often referred to high school as one of the best times in her life and fondly recalled many memories with her former classmates.

She attended Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, where she studied education.  While at OU, she made more lifelong friends and learned skills that would help her go on to become the successful educator that she was.  She received her BS in education from OU in 1969.

She then went on to begin her teaching career in the Columbus school system, but quickly discovered that she longed to be nearer to her family, so she returned to her hometown of Portsmouth, Ohio.  She then spent a few years as a caseworker for Scioto County Childrens’ Services before finally landing at the Scioto County Joint Vocational School (SCJVS), now known as the Career & Technical Center.  She spent the next 33 years at the SCJVS teaching first English, then American History and Government.  American history was her favorite subject, and it was obvious to both her students & colleagues alike that she was passionate about this subject.  She went on to earn her Master’s degree equivalent.  She truly loved her students and poured her heart into her classroom.  Through not only her teaching, but also through her love and compassion, she made a difference in the lives of countless students over the span of her teaching career.  

Outside the classroom, she was a dedicated mom to two daughters, whom she loved dearly and made many sacrifices for over the years.  As a single mother, she faced many challenges but she always trusted in the Lord to meet every need.  She was a faithful Christian and dedicated member of Rubyville Community Church, where she raised her girls.

She was a hard worker not just on the job, but at home as well and took great pride in making her modest home look its best.  She passed this work ethic on to her daughters.  She also took an active role in the lives of her four grandchildren who were the lights of her life. 

Janet was known for her smile & her sense of humor.  She could always find the humor in any situation and believed that laughter truly is the best medicine.  In 2020, she was diagnosed with vascular dementia, though symptoms began several years before.  This terrible disease eventually robbed her of her independence, but she kept her sense of humor up to just a month prior to her passing.  Due to her condition, she spent the last 3 years of her life at Hillview Retirement Center in Portsmouth, Ohio, where she kept the nurses and other residents entertained.  She could often be found singing, joking and laughing with the staff, especially with a nurse who was dear to her & her family, Alissa Grimm.

She is survived by her two daughters, Misty (Ryan) Hawk of Lucasville, Ohio, and Tara (Vince) Stiles of Minford, Ohio; four grandchildren, Kenzie & Avery Hawk and Ajay & Chase Stiles; two sisters, Marsha (Mark) Fields & Gayle Andrews; a special cousin, Karen Gilliland, as well as countless friends, church family & former students.  She was preceded in death by her parents and one son, Jeremiah Day, who died shortly after birth.

Friends & family may call at Erwin-Dodson-Allen Funeral Home in Minford, Ohio, on Sunday, February 26, 2023 from 3 - 6pm.  A celebration of Janet’s life will take place on Monday, February 27, 2023 at 11am at Rubyville Community Church–all are welcome to attend. Online condolences may be sent to www.edafh.com.

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