Janeth Friend

Janeth ?Jan? Dixon Friend, 90, of Indianapolis passed away peacefully after a short illness at St. Vincent?s Hospice on August 14, 2012. She was a wonderful mother to her two children, Joyce and Jim, beloved grandmother to Michael and Kyle, and a loved aunt by many. Jan was a strong, ?feisty?, independent woman. She led an active life devoted to family, friends, and community service. Jan was born on January 2, 1922 in Benton Harbor, MI, to James P. and Hazel (Brown) Dixon. She was active in band and choir during high school. She had many wonderful memories of growing up along the shores of Lake Michigan. Jan attended Purdue University and graduated in Home Economics and Dietetics in 1943. She was a member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority and Purdue Musical Organizations. She met her future husband, Ray T. Friend, a member of Glee Club and they were married soon after her graduation. She married into a grass roots singing family and song was woven into the fabric of her life. She sang in many church choirs throughout her life. Jan?s new husband, Ray Friend, was immediately sent overseas for 22 months during which Jan worked as a secretary for a major manufacturer of a...[more]

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lane parts while taking care of her mother who was suffering from a serious illness. Upon Ray?s return to the States in 1945, they moved to Tucson, AZ, West Lafayette, IN, Circleville, OH, Old Hickory and Nashville, TN, and Brownstown, IN. Jan lost her husband, Ray, suddenly in 1973. She moved back ?home? to West Lafayette at the urging of her sister-in-law and worked for over 15 years as a hostess for conventions at Purdue Memorial Union. She enjoyed cheering on her Boilermakers throughout her life! After retiring from Purdue in 1989, Jan moved to Indianapolis to be close to her children. She was active in PEO, St. Luke?s Methodist Church and Elderberries, Pi Beta Phi Alum group, and the Symphony and Opera. She volunteered at Methodist Hospital and the Indianapolis Museum of Art and taught Sunday school. She also enjoyed her traveling experiences abroad and throughout the U.S. with friends and church groups. In 2009, Jan moved into an apartment at The Forum at the Crossing where she developed new friendships. As her needs increased, she was tended to by her wonderful caregivers Esmeralda, Kathy, Michelle, and Robina. They gave her the gift of independence and still being in charge. We thank you for your loving care! Jan leaves behind a wonderful legacy of love and caring for others. She was mentally engaged in reading, doing word puzzles, and playing Quiddler right up until being hospitalized. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Ray, brother Charles Dixon, and many wonderful Friend relatives. She is survived by her daughter Joyce Friend Booher and her son James (Sally) Friend of Indianapolis, grandsons Michael Friend of Indianapolis and Kyle Friend of Flagstaff, AZ. We say goodbye and send our love to our beloved ?Mom?, ?Mama?, and ?Grammy Sandune.? Services will be held at St. Luke?s Methodist Church Chapel, on 86th Street, Indianapolis, on Saturday, August 18, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. with graveside services following at 1:30 p.m. in Dayton Cemetery, Dayton, IN. In lieu of flowers, we ask that contributions be sent to Purdue Musical Organization (PMO) in memory of Janeth D. Friend, specifying the Charlotte Friend Stewart Scholarship Fund, Purdue Foundation, 403 W. Wood St., West Lafayette, IN 47907, or call the PMO office at Purdue 800-893-3041 or by visiting the PMO website www.purdue.edu/pmo/. Leppert Mortuary, Indianapolis, is assisting the family during their loss.