Janet Hale Carstens Thompson

Thompson, Janet Hale Carstens (April 4, 1923-August 16, 2010). After a fourteen year battle with Alzheimer's disease, Janet Thompson victoriously went home to be with her Lord on August 16, 2010, in Penney Retirement Community, Penney Farms, Florida. Born April 4, 1923, in Nutley, NJ, Janet lived her childhood there and in Mountain Lakes, NJ. Moving to Livingston, NJ as a teenager with her mother, Marjorie Carstens, she graduated from West Orange High School in 1941. Beautiful, brunette Janet was employed at Livingston National Bank, and then located on the corner of Livingston Avenue and Mt. Pleasant Avenue, when she met Roy Cureau Thompson, a handsome sailor, in the bank! They were married at Northfield Baptist Church in Livingston on November 17, 1945, eventually building their home at 2 Springbrook Place, Livingston. Janet was a woman of strong convictions and a quick sense of humor. She was creative in many ways and known for sewing dresses and coats for her daughters through all their growing up years. She was an avid gardener and active member of the Livingston Garden Club. Janet and Roy were members of Olivet Congregational Church in Livingston. A favorite seasonal get-away place for picnicking in summer and ice-skating in winter was Deer Lake in Boonton, NJ. No family member could ever compare with Janet’s seemingly effortless ability to gracefully skate backwards. Christmas always found Janet baking delicious Christmas cookies, intricately decorated. It was her desire to help educate her grown daughters and son, being again employed at Livingston National Bank for many years. In retiring first to Gold Key Lake in Milford, PA, Janet and Roy enjoyed designing and building two more homes. Later they moved to Ft. Pierce, FL, and then Penney Farms Retirement Community in Penney Farms, FL. Janet and Roy were a couple who were deeply committed to one another. Together, they learned square dancing with Cross Trails and enjoyed many years of dancing, even into Janet's battle with Alzheimer's. Married 64 years, they have given family and friends an example of deep faithfulness in marriage and of inseparable love for one another. Remembering his beloved wife remains Roy Thompson, of Penney Retirement Community. Remembering their mother and (mother-in-law) are Susan C. (Thomas) Smith of West Caldwell, NJ; and Nancy H. (Warren) Stone of Benton, AR; and Andrew R. (Cindy) Thompson of Malabar, FL. Remembering their grandmother and great-grandmother are Timothy (Laura) Smith, Andrew, Wesley, and Benjamin of CA; Bret (Layci) Stone, Nekoda, Samuel, and Lucy of VA; Thomas P. (Katy) Smith, Athena of SC; Sarah (Pete) Ramsey of PA, and Ellie Stone, Audrey Stone, and Donna May Stone, all of AR. A thanksgiving service for Janet's life will be held at Penney Retirement Community, Saturday, August 21st, 10:00 am, at PRC church located at 4465 Poling Blvd. Penney Farms, Florida 32079. Cards of remembrance may be sent to Roy Thompson, Box 940, Penney Farms, FL 32079. Please sign the family’s online guestbook at www.broadusraines.com. Cremation arrangements are under the care of Broadus-Raines Funeral Home, 501 Spring Street, Green Cove Springs, FL (904) 284-4000.