Janet Lee Widdows

Janet Lee Widdows, 87, of Howard, OH, passed away July 10, 2023, at Knox Community Hospital, in Mount Vernon OH.

Janet was born June 21^st, 1936, in Sioux City, Iowa to Leo and Alfreda {Hawkins} Varilek.  She graduated from Central High School in Sioux City.  She later majored in Education at the University of South Dakota and Morningside College.  She then taught for four years in Lawton, Iowa.  She was a member of the Eastview United Methodist Church, the Columbus Area Military Officers and Wives Club, Beaux Arts, the Auxiliary of the Columbus Museum of Arts, the Reserve Officers Association League, and S.C.O.R. 

She was a stay-at-home mother after moving from Fort Worth, Texas to Montgomery, Alabama to Anderson AF. Base, then to Columbus, Ohio.  The family traveled in their motorhome throughout the United States for years. 

In retirement she enjoyed many trips throughout Europe, Greece, Africa, Egypt, Australia, India, and China.  She especially cherished her summer vacations with her family to their timeshares in many special places.  She moved into Apple Valley in Howard, OH to be closer to her family.    

Janet will be deeply missed by her daughter Nancy (Chad) Forster, grandson Caden Forster, as well as Tony Reali and Julie Martin.

Janet was preceded in death by her infant daughter Linda Lee Widdows and her former husband. Col. William “Bill” D Widdows and her parents.

Friends may call Friday July 14^th from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Roberts Funeral Home-Mount Vernon Chapel, followed by a memorial service at the funeral home. Burial will be at Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens.  Online tributes may be made at www.RobertsFuneralHome.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Kidney Fund, Inc. 11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852.