Janet I. George

Janet Irene George, born Janet Irene Riggins on August 28th 1939 in Grangeville Idaho, passed away March 1st 2015 at age 75 in Moscow Idaho, quietly in her sleep. Janet was the daughter of Ira Dale Riggins and Josephine Riggins, together with her sister Beatrice (Bea). They moved around in early years but moved to Pullman in 1948. Janet's father was a physics professor at Washington State University. After graduating from Pullman High School in 1957, Janet attended college at the University of Oregon where she received her Bachelor's degree, was a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, and did some modeling work. After college Janet married Dennis Gilbert, moved to San Francisco California, and had two children: Dennis Gilbert Jr. and Scott Gilbert. They returned to Oregon after a few years, where Janet had a career as a social worker with the State of Oregon, a reporter with the Willamette Times newspaper, a bookkeeper, music teacher, insurance claims representative, and care provider for the disabled and elderly. Janet was an excellent flute-playing musician since high school, and in her adult years played in community band, coffee shops, and retirement homes. She was also a wonderful artist, and enjoyed the visual arts as well as classical and jazz music. Later she moved to Idaho, first to the town of Genesee and then Moscow. She regularly attended the Church of the Nazarene, and lived near her sister Bea and family. Janet is survived by her sons Dennis Gilbert Jr. and Scott Gilbert, their families, and her sister Bea and her family. Her son Dennis lives in Portland Oregon with Janet's daughter-in-law Keiko and grandson Sean. Dennis is a manager in the Office of Information Technology at Portland State University. Her son Scott lives in Carbondale Illinois with Janet's daughter-in-law Barbara and granddaughter Sydney. Scott is a professor and director of graduate studies in the Economics Department at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Those who knew Janet are invited to celebrate her life at services this and next week. This Thursday, March 5th at 11 a.m. there will be a burial service for Janet at Pullman City Cemetery, and next week Friday March 13th at 11 a.m. there will be memorial service at Short's Funeral Chapel in Moscow. A reception will follow at the Nazarene Church Fellowship Hall. The family suggests that memorials be made to the Ira Dale Riggins Physics Scholarship Fund at WSU, the Moscow Church of the Nazarene, or to the Humane Society of the Palouse. Arrangements have been entrusted to Short's Funeral Chapel, Moscow, and online condolences may be sent to www.shortsfuneralchapel.net.