Janet Gullett
1949 - 2025
Janet Patricia Gullett, age 75, of Columbus, passed away Monday afternoon, April 7, 2025. She was born October 5, 1949, a daughter of the late George and Betty Gullett.
Janet was preceded in death by her parents, George Arthur Gullett and Betty Jean (Lemaster) Gullett; brothers Thomas Edward Gullett and Jeffrey Arthur Gullett.
Janet is survived by her twin children, Sean Edward Pisano and his wife Mary, Rebecca Jean Hayslip and her husband Roger; Grandchildren; Anthony Peter Pisano, Morgan Elizabeth Hayslip, Madison Jean Pisano, and Evan Arthur Hayslip; Siblings; Alan Michael Gullett (Connie), Judy Hedrick Stonerock (Tay), and Larry David Gullett. She also leaves many other family members and friends who will sadly miss her.
Janet was the second oldest of six to George and Betty Gullett, born October 5, 1949. She loved her mom’s cooking and her dad was always a calm and strong presence for her. She grew up in a Christian home with her older brother Mike and younger siblings Tom, Judy, Larry & Jeff. In addition, Janet had many beloved aunts and uncles who she loved visiting and spending summers with; babysitting cousins as she was one of the oldest in her generation.
The Early Years
Janet grew up in southern Ohio, graduating from South Webster High School Class of 1967; Salutatorian of her class and member of the Happy Seven gospel group, where she spent time in Haiti doing mission work and performing.
The Professional
Janet left home at age 17 after graduating high school and started her early career at Nationwide Insurance where she worked for over 20 years in Medicare, including opening a branch office in Portsmouth, Ohio. In the mid-80s, Janet took a step away from Nationwide, moving the twins to Florida to be near her parents. There, she worked at Holy Family Catholic Church in Orlando, and helped with coordinating the expansion of the church to the Mary, Queen of the Universe Shrine. Janet returned to the insurance world, this time in IT, doing project management for UnitedHealth Group for another 20+ years before retiring. Janet was so intelligent, loved her work and was such a valuable resource to all.
The Leader
In Janet’s retirement she spent her free time involved in many communities and holding leadership roles wherever she went. She did everything from Chair of her condo association to teaching and leading multiple women’s bible study groups and senior ladies groups, which she affectionately referred to as her “Old Ladies Groups”. At the time of her passing, Janet was President of her retirement community resident’s association. She loved leading, teaching and representing things that were important to her.
The Performer
Growing up in church, Janet often sang with her family and any other opportunity. Janet loved a good gospel sing-along! Many fond memories of Janet sitting with her sister, Judy, her father George and Brother-in-Law Jim, as they played guitar and sang hymn after hymn at family gatherings. Janet started performing in high school in musical groups, beyond that, she blessed those around her by performing in local theatre, church choir and recently in her retirement community talent show.
The Friend
Janet made friends wherever she went. She was very approachable and had a calm and caring sense about her, which attracted people to her. She listened and loved. Over the years, she formed lifelong friendships that she cherished and will be sorely missed by all she impacted. In recent years, she looked forward to “girls trips” with her sister Judy and friends Juanita and Betty as they would hit the road to see their favorite shows and the sights.
The Dog lover
Janet spent 14 years with her cherished black Labrador, Shadow. She truly loved his companionship and they had a very special bond. Over the years, Janet also loved being a “Mimi” to her “furry grandpups” - Bailey, Cody, Charlie, Neeko, Natasha, Moose & Gracie. They knew her as the one to have “cookies” in her pockets on a regular basis. She would also get the smallest “cookies”, just so she could give them “extras”.
The Sister
Her baby brother Jeff: Janet would sit on speaker phone with him for Buckeye games and they threw money into some slot machines together at Scioto Downs. Janet sat by Jeff’s bedside for weeks while he lost his battle with cancer.
Her sister Judy was her travel buddy all over the United States and Europe, her true “partner in crime”. They may or may not have gotten a few traffic tickets along the way. Judy and Janet had a beautiful sister bond and friendship, raising their kids together and supporting each other every step of the way, year after year.
Janet enjoyed time with her brother Larry and his late wife Shelley participating in Masonic and Eastern Star programs. Lots of beautiful pictures of them all dressed in their fanciest attire at these events.
Her brother Mike and sister-in-law Connie lost their son, Zach tragically in the war in Iraq; Janet would help with fundraisers and attend programs in honor of her nephew at Ohio Fallen Heroes Memorial in Sunbury, Ohio.
Janet’s late brother Tom was the closest in age to Janet and they shared their love of music both joining the same gospel group in high school and even followed the same career path into insurance.
With 13 nieces and nephews, and too many great nieces and nephews to count, “Aunt Janet” or “Mimi” to some was a true blessing and support to her extended family.
The Mom of Twins
Not too many people can say they went to sleep for an emergency C-section thinking they’ve lost their baby to instead wake up to TWO on January 6, 1974.
Janet, Sean (she named after her heartthrob Sean Connery) and Rebecca (aka Bec, Becca, Becky) were a “Dynamic Trio” as Janet was a single mom during The Twins’ childhood. Growing up with Janet as mom was “Untraditional”, in the best way possible. The Twins reminisced, by Janet’s bedside during her final hours, on lots of “campouts” in their childhood living room, falling asleep to “MASH” on the TV; Dates for Janet and Bec to watch every royal wedding on TV over the last 45 years and Downton Abbey movie dates, where Janet wore her “tiara” and brought “Tea & Biscuits” to share. Trips to Cincinnati Reds games for Janet and Sean, as well as WWF Wrestling matches! Lots of evenings at the Portsmouth Little Theatre when Janet would be cast in the musical or play of the time. Summers spent in a small camper at the local campground next to Janet’s parents. Trips to the Smoky Mountains and Florida; finding adventure wherever they went. As a parent, Janet didn’t have too many “rules”, and would say, you don’t need “rules” when you have great kids. She was definitely on to something there. Becky remembered Janet’s efforts to always make sure The Twins had the latest and greatest of anything that the other kids had. Even if it didn’t make sense financially, she found a way. Fighting to get that first “Cabbage Patch Kid” in 1984; Supporting Sean’s “dream job” of a Columbus Clippers’ batboy for four seasons; the first car the Twins shared at age 16, Guess jeans in the 90s and the most perfect prom dress that Bec just “had to have”. Sean will miss being called a “SA”, a well-deserved nickname that he comes by honestly, a point Janet could never deny.
The Mimi
Janet’s most favorite role…. she was “Mimi” to Anthony, Morgan, Madison & Evan…because Anthony couldn’t say “Grammee”. She couldn’t have been prouder of watching these four grow up and become the young adults they are today. Having four in a five-year span allowed “Mimi” to experience adventures with all of them in their younger years, including New Year’s Eve celebrations and Red White & Boom watch parties. Madison remembers dinners at Max & Erma’s where Mimi would order the Third Street Salad and the kids all got to go to the “Ice Cream Sundae Bar”, a favorite of this crew. (Remember No Rules!) Not to mention trips to Atlanta, New York City and Washington DC; a Disney cruise, a trip to “Santa Clause, Indiana” and more. Janet filled her weeks with karate demos, wrestling matches, music recitals, soccer games, school plays, football games, basketball games and all the other activities these four were involved in. Through Madison’s shared love of music and Anthony’s love of Ohio State football; to Morgan’s passion for baking and Evan’s “ornery” personality (He called her “RG” for rotten grandma and she called him “RK” for rotten kid; You can see a bit of Mimi in each and every one of them. Morgan shared that she and Mimi would battle over getting in the last word starting with “love you, love you more, love you mostest”.
Janet was a “Mimi” to others as well, neighbor children, great nieces and nephews and she loved them all dearly.
The Believer
Janet was a member of Grace Polaris Church and active in many ministries. She loved her lord and savior, Jesus Christ without ceasing. As we will sing at her service, “It is well with her soul”; "Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matthew 25:23
Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 17, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. followed by the funeral service at 2:00 p.m. at Grace Polaris Church; 8225 Worthington Galena Road, Westerville Ohio. Pastor Zach Hess will preside over the service.
A graveside service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, April 18, 2025 at South Webster Cemetery, State Route 140, South Webster, Ohio. Pastor Roger Lavender will preside over this service.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations be made to The Humane Society of Delaware County in Janet’s memory, Donations can be made at https://www.hsdcohio.org
Condolences
Stan & Diana Claxon Stonerock
Love & prayers for Shawn & Becky & grandkids & all the family & friends that Janet’s life touched they her 75 years….a longtime friend of our family in South Webster as the Gullett family moved here!! Always enjoyed hearing Janet sing or speak; she had a positive & fun way about her!! Her life is one that the family will always cherish with smiles remembering together🙏❤️😊