Janet E. Linhart

Janet Estelle Linhart passed away at age 89 in her home on Oct 31, 2024 from a

seizure. 

She was the daughter of Edward Frances Clemens (prior to 1940, known as

Edward Frances Czechowski) and Virginia Paulina (Gostomski) Clemens. 

Janet was born in Buffalo, NY on August 8, 1935. She was the oldest of 8

children followed by Edward Clemens, James Clemens (deceased), Patricia Clemens,

Dennis Clemens (deceased), Audrey Clemens (deceased), Karen Clemens, David

Clemens.

Mention should also be given to her very close relationship with her sister-in-

law, Violet Clemens who became her best friend and confidant. Always there for each

other through every trial either had, we will always be grateful for the support they

gave each other.

She spent most of her years, prior to marriage, in the Dunkirk/Fredonia area of

NY. She attended Saint Mary’s High School in Dunkirk. She lived in Michigan

between 1958 -1985. She returned to Fredonia for the remaining years of her life.

At a young age she was forced to do the hardest thing she ever faced. From a

broken engagement, she was put in a position where her family thought it best that she

should give up her child for adoption. She hoped to give her little girl a better life than

she could give her and worried about her through all the years. The result of that

engagement was Barbara Guida Klitz. Janet was reunited with Barbara in 2022.

Barbara is a brilliant cytopathologist and a professor emeritus for the University of

Rhode Island. She was instrumental in helping Janet’s grandson David beat Hodgkin’s

Lymphoma this year. Barbara gave Janet 3 grandchildren Kevin F Klitz, Katyanne L.

Klitz, & Keeley B Klitz. And, they gave her 4 great grandchildren: Caleb T Klitz,

Gunner T. Bastos, Kyla K Bastos, Russell F. Bastos. 

Janet married Theodore Victor Linhart from New York City on May 3, 1958 in

Dunkirk, NY, and remained with him until Theodore’s death at the Cleveland Clinic

on August 31, 2016. Tossed into his lap at a party, he said he fell in love with her

intelligence. They moved to Paw Paw, Michigan shortly after marrying. There they

had their son, Theodore Victor Linhart Jr and daughter Gail Frances Linhart. They

rented in South Lyon, Mi. for a couple of years, then moved to Westland, Mi. the

summer ‘67. Their son became a pilot and mechanic and took extremely good care of

her for the last several years of her life. His sacrifices are tremendously appreciated.

Their daughter became a highly qualified Dance Instructor and gave them a grandson,

David Michael Linhart. Gail married Michael Lee Zera and lived in Utah between

1995 - 2011 and has since lived in Oregon.

Janet was foremost a loving, generous mother to not only her children but she

also deeply cared for her younger siblings, nieces, nephews, friends of her children

and children in general.

Janet was a hard worker, intelligent and creative. She could and often did

recreate the wheel or come up with a better one. 

Janet worked in a variety of fields utilizing and expanding her skills and

knowledge. The most notable occupations she worked were as a pharmacist’s

assistant, Beauty Shop owner, and hostess for the Dunkirk Moose Lodge. 

Janet loved beautiful, clever, funny, and precious things. She was always

adding to her garden, collecting knick-knacks, clever devices, and things that

represented precious memories.

Janet was always generous in giving people what they needed and allowing the

use of her property (especially, the pool for the neighbor kids.) 

Janet loved cultural and sports events. With her husband she enjoyed music and

theater. With her son, she attended NASCAR & Figure Skating shows. With her

daughter, it was various dance events. With her grandson, she delighted in traveling

and showing him the US. She loved it all and was always curious. 

Janet loved animals and probably never had a year without a pet to give her

love to. Whether it was dogs, cats, parrots, ducks, geese, rodents, or watching wild

life, she loved them all. When faced with discovering a mouse on her staircase in her

home, she looked at it and pretended to not see it because she did not want to see it

hurt.

Janet loved creating and donating baskets for the Moose lodge to raise money

for good causes. 

Janet would go out of her way to give a ride to someone that needed it and

often became the chauffeur for fellow employees at the Moose lodge. 

Janet was an excellent cook making everything right down to giving a try at

making English Muffins. 

Janet was an excellent seamstress. She frequently made not only everyday

clothes, but costumes for her daughter’s dance school’s performances.

Janet’s wonderful qualities and support will be missed.

Viewing will be at McGraw Funeral home in Dunkirk, NY Tuesday, Nov 5

between 4-7pm. Funeral services will be held St. Joseph Church in Fredonia,

NY Wednesday, Nov 6 at 10am, followed by immediate burial at Webster Rd

cemetery.