Janet Stone Stearns
Janet Stone Stearns left us after a long and fierce battle against leukemia on April 10, 2021. She was born May 26, 1953 in Cleveland, Ohio, the daughter of the late Lewis J. and Catherine Aub Stone (who will be 95 in May). Always called Jan, she grew up in Ohio, and graduated from Shaker Heights High School. Jan was famous for making and having large groups of friends even as a youngster.
Jan married the love of her life, Edward (Ned) Stearns on April 16, 1983. She adored her two daughters, Kimberly (Kim) Stone Stearns and Carolyn (Carrie) Stone Houston, and her son-inlaw Spencer Houston. Kim’s children, Jane and Charlie Higdon, lit Jan’s life each day with sunshine. Carrie and Spencer will add another special grandchild to the family in July.
Along with her mother Cathy, she leaves behind her sister Barbara (Barb) Stone Reetz and her husband Gary Reetz, brother-in-law John Stearns, sister-in-law Helen Tramte, niece Emily Stone Reetz and nephew Benjamin (Ben) Stone Reetz, all of whom loved her immensely and cannot fathom her being gone from their lives.
Jan graduated from Bowling Green State University in Ohio with degrees in both Business and Mathematics, and relocated to Arizona. She had a long and amazing career in sales for the telecommunications industry, eventually retiring from Verizon. Her focus on her clients and their success was a crowning achievement. Followed closely by the many lasting friendships she made with beloved colleagues over her storied career.
Jan filled her weekends with entertaining friends and family, legendary shopping, and fun expeditions. She and Ned loved to travel, see Broadway shows at Gammage, cheer on the Diamondbacks, enjoy dinners out, attend concerts, and be with their children, grandchildren, and grandpuppies as often as possible. She filled her retirement with mahjong games with dear friends, volunteer work with the National Council of Jewish Women in Phoenix, and other pursuits.
Jan gave fierce energy and devotion to the many friends she made throughout her life and no one has ever been more loving or supportive to her family.
A memorial service will be held at 12:00 pm on Friday, April 23, 2021 at Hansen Desert Hills Mortuary, 6500 E. Bell Rd., Scottsdale. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a cause close to Jan’s heart: Arizona Animal Welfare League (AAWL), National Council of Jewish Women, or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Visit hansenmortuary.com for online condolences.