Janet's Obituary
Janet Ulias was a great lady. She was also known as “the toughest chick we all know.” But most of all, Janet was the true heart center of her family. She was the source of comfort, perspective, and honest advice to everyone who needed it. She laughed hard and often. She was stubborn in that good way where she never gave up so you couldn’t either. She was empathetic yet there was no question who ran the show. Friends and colleagues often said that everyone needs a Janet in their life. Those who knew her feel lucky to have had her in theirs.
Growing up in Westport, CT with brother, Bill, Janet played softball, basketball, and spent time with trusted girlfriends. She had a lifelong love of puzzles and was always a card shark who took no prisoners. In high school she was a straight A student and participated actively in her church community. Janet was the first of her family to attend college at Becker Junior College in Worcester, MA. She met John Ulias there in 1962, and fell so hard for him that when an impromptu cross-country drive took her family to San Francisco, she made it as far as Denver before hopping a flight back to Connecticut to be with him. In 1963, she graduated Becker with high honors and an AS degree in executive secretarial. She then worked as the secretary to the Assistant Superintendent of Schools in Westport, CT for two years.
Janet and John were married in 1964. They had three sons in five years and lived in Bridgeport, Stamford, and Watertown, CT. Janet counts their sons Mike, Gary ,and Rich as her greatest accomplishments. She took pride in raising them to be good husbands, fathers, and citizens who were kind and had good work ethics.
From 1973 to 1977, Janet continued her work in education as an assistant bookkeeper for Watertown Public Schools. In 1977, Janet and John made the bold decision to move to Great Falls for John’s new job as Vice President of Finance for a family-owned trucking company. They created a new life there with their three young boys, powered by the sense of humor, hard work, and the special brand of moxie Janet was known for.
Working in Great Falls, she became secretary to the Supervisor of Special Education in Great Falls Public Schools for three years. She then worked as administrative secretary for Monsanto Agricultural Products for 10 years, a job she excelled at and took much pride in. In 1991, she returned to education as administrative assistant for human resources for the Great Falls Public Schools system. After retiring in 1999, Janet volunteered in the Emergency Room at Benefis Hospital two days a week and served as secretary to the 500+ member Volunteer Auxiliary for a number of years. She said her greatest satisfaction was helping the patients and staff in the ER.
Janet and John built their dream cabin in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains where they created many magical memories hunting, fishing, and sharing stories with their boys and family. At the cabin, Janet loved playing Chicken Foot Dominoes and South Fork Poker and baking cakes with each of her grandchildren. She was also an avid golfer and loved to travel to Hawaii and to visit family.
Janet is survived by husband, John, the love of her life, as well as a tight-knit extended family. Son, Mike, wife Kirsten and grandson Taylor reside in Boise, ID. Her late son, Gary, was blessed with two children, Ryan and Sara, through his marriage with Laarni. Son, Rich, and wife Deborah reside in Spokane, WA with three granddaughters who live out West: Megan with husband Landon and great grandson Kellan in Spokane, sister Kaitlin in Phoenix and Gracyn in Boise, ID. Her brother Bill and wife Betty reside on the East Coast close to Janet’s nieces Carrie with her wife Jannie and children Taylor and Evelyn, and Kaity with her husband Brian, children Jacob and Cameron. John’s brother Walt and wife Pat, who reside in Cromwell, CT.
One of brother Bill’s first memories at age four was that he had a big sister, and she wasn't going to go away. And now, Janet didn’t go away, she’s with him. She’s with all of us.
So when you walk the woods where we once walked together
And scan in vain the dappled bank beside you for my shadow,
Or pause where we always did upon the hill to gaze across the land,
And spotting something, reach by habit for my hand,
And finding none, feel sorrow start to steal upon you,
Be still.
Close your eyes.
Breathe.
Listen for my footfall in your heart.
I am not gone but merely walk within you.
