Janet Alice (Harvey) Graddick, age 79, passed away under hospice care in Chicago, Illinois, on April 24, 2024.
Janet spent her early childhood in Gambier, where she lived with her parents Dr. and Mrs. (Alice Wilson) John Edward Harvey; her twin brother Jim, and older sister Diane. The Harvey twins took dancing lessons and covered the dance floor doing the waltz, jitterbug, foxtrot, cha-cha and Lindy hop. Janet and Jim were regulars at the Kenyon College Christmas Square Dance. This love for dancing continued into their junior high years in Mt. Vernon, where they attended Saturday night dances at the YMCA.
Janet was raised in a household where education and service were paramount. Her father, a distinguished professor at Kenyon College, instilled in her a love for learning and a deep sense of community responsibility. Her mother, an educator herself, further nurtured Janet's compassionate spirit. Janet graduated from Mt. Vernon High School in 1963 and from MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Illinois, in 1967, where she met her husband, William Graddick. William and Janet were married in 1968, and son Craig was born in 1973.
Janet became a professional social worker, moving to New Jersey and working for the state. Following her divorce, Janet and Craig established a life full of love, school, work and frequent trips to state parks, caves and caverns. Janet was always a good sport to provide many adventures for Craig. Janet and Craig later moved back to Ohio, living in Cleveland Heights with her brother Jim and his son, Justin, where Janet received her master’s degree in social work from Case Western University in 1984.
In 1985, Janet and Craig moved back to Gambier, and she served as the social service supervisor for the Human Services Department of Knox County until her retirement. In this role, she oversaw a team of dedicated professionals and managed programs that provided crucial support to vulnerable populations, including the elderly and homeless.
Janet cherished the community of Gambier and enjoyed spending time with family and friends, exploring communities around central Ohio. Janet remained in Gambier until she moved to Chicago in 2017 to be closer to her son, Craig.
Janet was preceded in death by her parents, John Edward Harvey and Alice Wilson Harvey of Gambier, and her older sister, Diane Clarke. Janet is survived by her son, Craig Graddick (Michelle); her twin brother, Dr. James Edward Harvey (Ruth); her beloved niece and nephews and their families: Megan Clarke (Thomas) Oliver and Sammy; Andrew Clarke, Ava and Jack; Justin Harvey, James and Jay; David Butts.
A graveside service will take place on June 22, 2024, at 11 a.m., at Oak Grove Cemetery in Gambier Ohio.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to either of the below organizations:
Interchurch Social Services of Knox County in memory of Janet Graddick PO 1052
Mount Vernon, OH 43050
or
Station Break Senior Center of Knox County
501 S Main St
Mount Vernon, OH 43050
