Janet was born on 12 December 1937 at 46, Brancaster Drive, Lincoln. She was the first child of Arthur and Anne (Nance) Newstead who subsequently had four more daughters, Pauline, Elaine, Claire and Angela.

After the end of World War 2 the family moved to Hykeham Road and then to Tentercroft Street where part of the family business (Wholesale Grocers and Confectioners) was based. The next move was to the Manor House, Sudbrooke. Although this sounds an idyllic address there were, in fact, several practical problems associated with living in the country in the late 1950s. An infrequent bus service was the recognised form of transport and after alighting at Sudbrooke Lane End there was a one mile walk along a lane which had no lighting and only a handful of houses at infrequent intervals. This was quite frightening for a young lady, especially on a particularly dark night, and on one such occasion Janet had a close encounter with a cow which had strayed onto the road.

Janet was educated at the former Boultham Infant and Junior Schools before moving to Lincoln Girls High School.

Her out of school activities consisted of dancing with Mrs Maclean's Merry Mascots for whom she performed a solo at the Theatre Royal, Lincoln at the tender age of just 3! Music was her other passion and she was a Grade 8 pianist as well as being able to play the organ which she used to do at Sudbrooke Church.

Janet was an extremely conscientious person taking infinite care with everything she did. Unfortunately, the pressures which she imposed upon herself in education, dancing and music led to her suffering a nervous breakdown and she was sent to stay with Steve Race (a distant relative) in London in an attempt to restore her to good health. It was whilst staying with Steve that Janet had her first date with Alan who was working in London at the time and knew about her illness.

Janet and Alan were married on 23 July 1960 at the former St Mark's Church and spent 40 happy years together before her illness began to become apparent. They lived on Carholme Road and then West Parade (33 years) before moving to the south of the city in 2001.

Janet worked for her father until the birth of Paul in 1962 after which she became, and remained, a full-time housewife with two other children, Susan and John, to care for in the following years. She used to walk to town to shop nearly every day accompanied by her trusty trolley and her shopping skills, particularly the ability to trade in coupons and vouchers, were legendary, saving much money for the family budget. Her negotiating skills brought many bargains of Wedgwood jasper ware and china florals etc. at antique fairs across the East Midlands.

Janet attended All Saints Church, North Hykeham as well as Sunday School whilst living on Hykeham Road and she was particularly pleased that Paul and John were married, and James christened, there.

When the family had grown up Janet and Alan spent many touring holidays in Scotland. Pitlochry and the tiny fishing village of Crail near St Andrews were a particular delight to Janet, but without doubt the West Coast and Islands were the firm favourites. She was often to be seen in the stern of the ferry boat with tears in her eyes as one or other of the Hebridean Islands disappeared into the distance.

Janet enjoyed her gardening very much and in 2000 she won first prize in the West End Residents' Association competition for the best front garden.

Also, Janet enjoyed taking part in quizzes and competitions, often about music. One such competition in 1987 brought a substantial cash prize which Janet donated to the Lincoln Cathedral Fabric Fund. This paid for a new stone in one of the pinnacles on the South Choir Transept and Janet was escorted by various Cathedral dignitries to the roof to see this stone, upon which her initials were carved, being put into place. Other smaller cash prizes won in subsequent years were also donated to the Fabric Fund.

Janet was unstinting in her love and care for her family which dominated her life and took up most of her time. Whilst such devotion did not allow much time for socialising she was well liked by those who knew her. Janet was a good and loving person who always strived to uphold the christian principles with which she had been brought up.

Janet bore her very long and totally disabling illness with great courage and dignity and she was cared for at home until January 2005 when circumstances dictated that residential care was the only option. She moved to Beckside Nursing Home at North Hykeham where both the care and nursing staff looked after her with total professionalism mixed with love, compassion and not a little humour on occasions.