Janet Louise Kilhefner

The world lost a wonderful human being when Janet Louise Kilhefner ascended to a higher place on January 19, 2024. Janet was born on December 13, 1931 in Reading, Pennsylvania to Ethel and George Hain. After graduating from Reading High School she entered the nursing program at Harrisburg Polyclinic and received her RN in 1952. Later that year, on her birthday, she married her high school sweetheart, Paul T Kilhefner Jr. who was at the time a naval officer. Two years and one baby later, the family settled in the Pittsburgh area where Paul, a metallurgical engineer, worked for US Steel. They had two more children and Janet became a house mom until the children became teenagers. Janet then took a refresher course and returned to nursing. While working at Allegheny General Hospital, at the age of 50, she graduated magna cum laude from LaRoche College with a degree in management. At the age of 55, Janet received her MPH from the University of Pittsburgh and was inducted into Delta Omega, the Honorary Society in Public Health. Janet later became the Director of Ambulatory Services at Allegheny General Hospital.

Janet took early retirement in 1993 and Paul passed away in 1994. Always full of energy with a desire for new experiences, she embarked on a series of mini careers: tour bus director, assisting the elderly filing their income tax, a course in massage therapy (taught by a nun no less), took bridge lessons at a community college and became a Life Master.

At her 50th high school reunion she reconnected with Bob Brodstein who was widowed. The chemistry was there and she ultimately moved to Utah where she put the gold in Bob’s golden years. They went on a safari in Kenya/Tanzania and took many cruises throughout the globe. They both enjoyed family celebrations, including graduations, weddings, birthday parties and holidays. Bob passed away in 2019.

Janet was deeply religious but not a zealot. Her faith enabled her to cope with serious family health issues. She was a brilliant deep thinker. While reading the bible or novels she read beneath the worlds to find the message.

For those she knew well, Janet will leave behind a legacy of love and compassion.