Sunset on Neptune Beach, WA
The following was printed in the Bellingham Herald and Seattle Times after Janet passed away in 2009.
Janet Gelb
Koplowitz, 86, of Bellingham, WA, passed away on September 8, 2009 at her
beloved beach house at Neptune Beach. She was born in 1922 in Seattle to Samuel
and Gussie Gelb. Janet attended Coupeville schools and the University of
Washington where she was a member of the AEPHI Sorority. Her family moved to
Bellingham when she was 18 and began operating Hohl Feed and Seed. Janet was
married in 1945 to Arthur who passed away suddenly in 1994. The Koplowitz family
owned and operated Draper Valley Farms and Janet was a Director for 15 years.
Since 1952 Janet and her family have spent their summers at Neptune Beach, where
she loved walking the beach looking for agates, and she also enjoyed many years
of vacationing on Maui. Janet loved to be involved with various community and
philanthropic organizations. She was a member of Whatcom Museum Docent Society,
Sarah Deborah Hospital Auxillary, Women Sharing Hope, Edgemoor and Ivy League
Garden Clubs, Beth Israel Synagogue, and served on the St. Joseph Hospital
Community Board . She was a life-long member of Temple De Hirsch Sinai in
Seattle. She was an avid Husky fan and attended many UW football games with
Arthur and her boys. Janet loved good food and entertaining, socializing with
friends, playing bridge, and attending the symphony and theater. Janet had many
caring friends in Bellingham and Seattle, and throughout the Northwest, who held
a very special place in her heart. Janet is survived by her sons, Rick and Jim,
daughters-in-law Sandie and Christine, brother, Charles Gelb, grandchildren
Rebecca (Loren), Michael, and Jordan, and grandchildren by marriage, Logan
(Katie), Cameron (Jennifer), and Adam Luft. Janet recently welcomed two
great-grandchildren by marriage into the world. The family expresses sincere
thanks to Cheryl Metcalf for her years of wonderful help. Janet will be laid to
rest in Seattle in Portals Mausoleum at Hills of Eternity Cemetery, next to her
husband, Arthur. A private family service will be held. In lieu of flowers,
memorials may be sent to Children’s Hospital in Seattle. Westford Funeral Home
has been entrusted with arrangements. Please share memories of Janet at
www.westfordfuneralhome.com.