Janet Rae McClary

Janet Rae Thompson Meyer McClary passed away October 8, 2024.

Janet was born October 22,1931 to Gale and Dorothy Thompson in Hammond, Indiana. She graduated from Hanover College and received her B.A. in Classical Languages. She received her M.A. in Education from Cal State LA, specializing in reading. Janet’s teaching career spanned more than three decades. She made a lasting and positive difference in the lives of many students at Apple Valley, Central, and Etiwanda School Districts. 

She married USAF Capt. Ernest H. Meyer in 1953 and they had two daughters, Erica and Craig. Widowed in 1961, she met and married John A. McClary in 1968. They enjoyed 54 years together, sharing their love of family, education, and travel before John’s passing in 2022. Janet was a proud mother to two daughters, grandmother to three, and great-grandmother to four, with a fifth to arrive early next spring.

Janet was a lifelong learner and enjoyed many interests: reading, travelling the world, attending the theater and live musical performances, completing the Sunday LA Times crossword puzzles, tending her rose garden, and hosting wonderful dinner parties and gatherings for family and friends. Festivities with her beloved Bloody Mary Bridge Group were always a highlight. Janet volunteered with several organizations, including Reading for the Blind and Dyslexic, the Huntington Library, and the Alf Museum at the Webb Schools. Many strong and lasting friendships were made during her years as a member of PEO. 

Janet is survived by her daughters Erica Kurta (David) and Craig Garrett (Curt), grandchildren Jaime Hass (Michael), Kevin Kurta (Gabby), Kerry Clark (Cooper) and great grandchildren Lucy Hass, Henry Hass, Andrew Kurta and Sawyer Clark. Extended family members include brother-in-law Richard Fine and many nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved dearly.

For those who knew her she was a true “Rae of Sunshine” and will forever be remembered for her optimistic outlook on life, intelligence, loyalty, generosity, and wonderful sense of humor. She may be “gone from our sight”, but her remarkable spirit and our memories of her will always be in our hearts. Services will be held at Forest Lawn Covina in the Columbarium of Eternal Love on Saturday morning November 2, 2024 at 9:00 AM. 

In lieu of gifts and flowers, Janet's memory may be honored by a donation to the Braille Institute.