Janet A Pappas

Janet Pappas of Houston, Texas passed away on January 28, 2025 at the age of 89. She was born on June 15, 1935 in Cincinnati, Ohio to Joseph and Alice Koch. Janet survived her older siblings, JoAnn Szydowlski and Joseph Koch. Janet graduated from Hughes High School in 1954, entered the US Army (WAC) that September, and was honorably discharged in March of 1958. Janet served two of those years in Japan working in the Army hospital where she received her nurse’s training. She loved the experience and opportunities the Army afforded her.

After discharge, Janet returned to Cincinnati and met Van J. Pappas whom she wed in 1959 after which they relocated to Chicago, Illinois and had one child, Eva Elizabeth Pappas Whyte. Van passed in September 1968 at the age of 42. Janet worked as an EEG Technician for Northwestern Memorial Hospital for over 35 years. Upon retirement Janet started oil painting as a hobby and has left many beautiful abstract and whimsical paintings. She was a generous person known to show her love through gift giving. Janet was also a great animal lover and could accurately be described as “the Cat Lady”.

Janet moved to Houston, Texas in 2019 to be closer to her daughter and her grandchildren, Adam Van Shiman, wife Christen Shiman; Allison Therese Santos, husband Wilson Santos; and Adrienne Elizabeth Jackson, husband Austin Jackson. She is also survived by five great grandsons.

The family would like to thank her caregivers and the personal care home, Hands 2 Lend. She was well loved and their care and compassion was an immense comfort to the family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her honor to www.bestfriends.org.