Janet R. Harkness, 88, passed away on Oct. 26. Raised in Los Angeles, Janet attended UCLA, obtaining her master’s degree in education. She then returned to teach at U.E.S., the training and experimental school on the campus of UCLA for over 30 years. She loved Native American history and spent many years taking her students to reservations in Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Canada.
After retiring she and her husband Don, a chef, traveled all over the country working in the restaurant industry. She moved to Arizona from Colonial Williamsburg in 2001, joining her great niece and family after the death of her husband. She continued to volunteer at Horizon Community Learning Center in Ahwatukee, quilt, weave on her traditional Indian loom, attend Bible study and participate in family activities until her passing.
Aunt Janet, as she was known, was loved by so many in the Foothills community and was survived by her nephew Jim, niece Carolyn, great nephew Dean, great niece Shanna, great grand nephew Colby, and great grand nieces, Samantha, Cameron and Faith. A memorial service took place on Nov. 1 at the Foothills Baptist Church in Ahwatukee.
