Our classmate, Pat (Richey) Wanzenberg, just provided the following information about Janet (Bengston) Leahy:
It is with a heavy heart that I send news of Janet (Bengston) Leahy’s passing on June 4, 2023. Her death was sudden and unexpected. The diagnosis was Vasculitis, an autoimmune disease that took her in 19 days. I met Janet in 7th grade at Nicholas junior high and we have been best friends ever since. Janet loved life more than anyone I have ever known. She was strong, kind, very loving and loved fifty and sixties music. Janet taught at Misericordia Home in Chicago for years. Her ability to reach her very young, handicapped students was something to behold. She worked with many families teaching their children sign language and how to cope with everyday tasks. She leaves behind her husband Fran, son John, daughters Dina and Nora and 4 grandchildren that she adored. There will be a memorial at a later date. It is such loss.
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Sherwin "Jay" Siegall
Janets passing is just devestating! I have gotton teary eyed at dozens of these sad notices. Janet was one of the most beautiful people inside and out. Upon being notified of her passing 2 days ago I just came to a stop unable to work the rest of the day!. Janet was a girl/lady I've adored since I met her at Nichols.
I was so looking forward to seeing her next Feb or March when I was hopinfg to have another mini reunion at my home in Florida as she would usually attend. Next years mini reunion the 60th year of our graduation will have a huge void without Janet's presence!. 2 days later I still well up with tears as I write this.
RIP beautiful lady. So many will miss you and I cant imagine the loss felt by Fran and her kids and grand kids. :-(
Molly McCracken (Schwarzman)
Janet and I were best friends in high school. We were like sisters and shared so many memories. Janet lived with my family for about a year during this time. I was in her wedding to Randy. She loved to dance, talk and laugh.
Janet will be missed by her family and so many friends.
RIP old friend.
Molly
Edward Leach
Godspeed Janet!
Robert Lindner
I remember Janet from Nichols.
So here is my Nichols salute
To her.
On the Grand Canal
The Gondolier will row
With her to the Piazza San Marco,
Past Palazzo Doge,
Where a happy day
Passed for us on our way
To distant futures that we could not know,
When Nichol’s school would show
The architecture of the Palazzo,
And we would sing her praise,
Sing of the happy days,
As loud voices would raise.
Then along time’s canal we all would go
With the gondolier, who
Will know the way past Saint Marco’s square to
Go, where the white dove cries,
Under the bridge of sighs
And brings heaven’s new prize
To the hall of memories. And we knew
Her once before and we
Try to take time to find the memory
But time has passed us by
And we are where doves cry
Too often and the sky
That’s above the Piazza is hazy
But we’re on Canale
Grande and there the Palazzo Doge
Showed us the way. And we
Were there and so was she,
When gondolier would be
Rowing and singing of that happy day.
When we were together
In that time so long ago when we were
Blessed by youth and our song
We now sing with voices strong
With love that can’t be wrong
As we recall and say goodbye to her.
Stephen Smith
As usual my friend, well done, you really should get these published! Oops, that was for the poem , I really did not know Janet but from the comments must have been super gal.Lee Saberson
Mike Melton introduced me to Janet in jr high. She was a delightful person. Beautiful and sweet. Rest in Peace, JanetPauline Noznick (Gerstein)
I did not know Janet in high school and any fellow alum passing makes me sad. I loved Robert's poem about her, especially his references to Venice. I taught at Nichols for 25 years, and the Venitian part of the school was fading. The ceramic tiles are still there, but many of the things you might remember are gone--the mural that showed voting in the early US was taken down and now is in storage, the Gondelier is called the yearbook now. The stone lions are still there, but no one calls them Jeepers and Creepers anymore. The sports teams are the Lions.The stone "bench" outside the office, is still there and teachers continue to threaten to send students there when/if they misbehave. The school colors, once crimson and gray, are now red and white. It's still a great schooI and I enjoyed my years teaching there. And I forgot, there is a phone and computer in every classroom and the new addition has air conditioning.
Lincoln Krochmal
I did not know Janet but mourn the loss of another of our colleagues. From all the comments from those who knew Janet, I really wish we would have met along the way at Nichols or ETHS. the poem by Robert is outstanding as always and a beautiful tribute to a beautiful classmate. May Godspeed.