Clear, 51° F
(Aug. 15, 1948 - July 22, 2014)
Janet S. Meury, daughter of Maynard A. Stenehjem and LaDell Anderson Stenehjem, died peacefully with courage and grace, surrounded by friends and family at St. Peter’s Hospital in Helena, Mont., at midnight on July 22, 2014.
A mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, good neighbor and friend, Janet touched so many people in her 65 years and will be remembered for her many achievements. She was a Girl Scout of the highest rank, member of the National Honor Society, thespian, merit scholar, and the valedictorian of the class of 1966 at Montrose High School in Montrose, Colo.
As a youth, Janet was a member of Rainbow Girls and served as president of UMYF at the First United Methodist Church of Montrose.
She was a Beecher Foundation Scholarship recipient and attended Colorado College of Colorado Springs, Colo., where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree of fine arts. Later she received a master of library science degree at Emporia State College, Kan., where she also taught English as a second language.
Janet served the Park County Library system as branch librarian in Powell for 26 years, before relocating to Helena, Mont., where she retired to spend time with her family.
In 2005 she co-authored a book of poetry, “Listening to Stones,” and had plans to publish further books from her body of work. Her poetry is shaped by her love of nature and its beauty. She was a member of The West Thumb Poets group, attending bi-annual retreats in Yellowstone, to refine her craft with like-minded writers.
Janet led the East Helena Library book discussion group, and attended Civic Center events, school programs and plays. She kept the nurses of the St Peter’s Cancer Center in stitches with her jokes.
She enjoyed loving neighbors who shoveled her walk, brought her mail, looked after her cats and blessed her with young friends whom she cherished, including Taylor, Kaiden, Hailey and Angel.
Janet is survived by her son Aaron Meury, his wife Roxanne Adams Meury, two granddaughters, Alpine Meury, and River Meury of Helena; sister Kay Stenehjem Hyle of East Helena; nephews Ryan Hyle of Montrose, Colo., Kevin Hyle and his wife Melissa Eynroud Hyle of Ridgway, Colo., a niece, Katherine Hyle Duteil, her husband Joel Duteil, a great nephew, Kayden Duteil of Montrose. She is further survived by Chris Paluck and family of Chewelah, Wash., Tiana Preator and family of Powell, and many friends in Montrose, Powell and East Helena.
She believed that friends were the family you choose. Anyone who knew her will forever be enriched.
A memorial service will be held over Memorial Day weekend in Powell.
