In memory of
Janet Faith Briggs
Our joy for a brief time

Janet was a special child. Born on July 26, 1952, she was the fifth and last child in our family. Not too long into her short life, doctors confirmed that she had some serious limitations. She lived to be four years old and never walked or talked. But, that is such a limited view of Janet.

She was a happy child and much loved by our family. She loved music. I often played the piano for her, and she would quickly let me know which songs she really liked and which she didn’t. She also loved to rock in her rocking chair and was content to spend countless hours doing so.

During her last year, we lived in Switzerland and our family did a lot of traveling. She was able to adapt to the myriad changes we experienced during that time. As I reflect on that year, I am amazed that she could do so.

She was the focus of much attention and care by our family. Her sudden death in 1956 stunned us all, but looking back, we could see that her condition had subtly and slowly been deteriorating. Her life and her loss had a profound impact on all of us. I expressed her significance for me by naming our third child for her, Janet Logan Barnes.

Libby Barnes
Janet’s sister