Janet Ann (C.) Bartosch's Obituary
Janet was born on September 21, 1947, to Ruth and Ellsworth Cornelius in Paterson, NJ. She was raised, first in Pompton Lakes, NJ, and until she entered nursing school, in Ogdensburg, NJ. Her continued pursuit of education took her to Philadelphia, PA, and Springfield, MO. She has resided in Memphis, TN, since 1973. She died at home on the morning of March 3, 2025, in hospice care.
Janet's childhood dream was to become a nurse. She did. She graduated with a diploma from Newark (NJ) Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing in 1968. She attended the University of Pennsylvania, then found a position in nursing as the campus nurse at a Bible college. She moved on to teach at Burge School of Nursing in Springfield. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences from what's now Southwest Missouri State University (SMSU). She met the love of her life at SMSU, Henry Bartosch, All the while in those schools, she claimed that she just wanted to continue to learn, that learning was both challenging and fun. She lived up to that claim.
She earned an M.Ed., Community Health Education at Memphis State University, now the University of Memphis, where she later taught. Janet returned to nursing education, earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and a Master's degree (MSN) in Community Health-Family Practice in 1979, both degrees were earned at UTCHS-Memphis. She was afforded a 45+ year career as a family nurse practitioner. She worked in various settings and practices: ER, critical care, Obstetrics, Pain Clinic, and more. Janet was a published author; she wrote a chapter in the PCUSA human sexuality book, "God's Gift of Sexuality", numerous opinion pieces, and an article about contraceptives in the professional journal, "The Nurse Practitioner." She also served as a parish nurse at two churches to which she belonged. Janet was inducted into honor societies: Sigma Theta Tau and Phi Kappa Phi. She was ordained as an elder and served on the Session, and Stephen Minister, as well, at Balmoral Presbyterian Church. She later became a member of Shady Grove Presbyterian Church.
She is survived by her husband and best friend of 49+ years, Henry Bartosch, III, and their two sons, Davin and Kellan. Davin is married to Rachael (nee Davis); they are the parents of two of Janet's grandsons, Bishop and Oren. Kellan is married to Margaux (nee Bolton); they are the parents of Janet's granddaughters, Colette and Blythe, and a son, Booker, who is Janet's youngest grandchild.
From her family of origin, Janet is survived by her younger sister, Louise, who is married to Richard Stewart of Germantown, TN. Richard and Louise have a daughter, Katie, one of Janet's nieces. Janet is also survived by her older brother, Ron. Ron and his wife Cindy reside in Durango, CO. Ron's son, Ryan (a nephew of Janet's) and his wife, Gabi, are recent proud parents of Ellie, who is Janet's grandniece.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Memphis Botanic Garden or Shady Grove Presbyterian Church.
Services for Janet will be held on Sunday, March 23, 2025 at 4:00pm at Shady Grove Presbyterian Church: 5530 Shady Grove Memphis, TN 38120 with a reception following.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38119 (901) 767-8930.
“Where Memphis comes to remember, since 1924.”
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