Janet E. Starr

Janet Elwin Starr, 98, of Hanover, PA died March 22, 2023, at Homewood at Plum Creek.

Janet was born August 20, 1924, in Hartford, CT, to the late Charles Tennant Elwin and Lulu Mary (Johnson) Elwin, the eldest of five daughters.

She graduated from Crosby High School in Waterbury, CT, and was active in many student organizations. In October of 1940, as the assistant editor of the Crosby Argus, Janet scooped the local newspapers when she interviewed Republican presidential candidate, Wendell Willkie, during his campaign visit to Waterbury.

Janet attended Cornell University and graduated in 1947, with a degree in Foods and Nutrition.

On December 6, 1944, Janet married her college sweetheart, James H. Starr, with whom she shared almost 53 years of marriage until his death on September 3, 1997.

Janet was a pioneer in the development of home health care and worked with a number of local, statewide and national organizations for improved availability, quality, and financing of home health care services.  She enjoyed a career of nearly 30 years in the field, beginning in 1961 as the founding Executive Director of the Genesee County Homemaker Service in Batavia, NY. In the 1970s, she led the Homemaker-Home Health Aide Association of New York State and the Coalition for Home Health Services in New York State. She was the Director of the Home Health Services Project for the State Communities Aide Association of New York State. In 1977, she was named Executive Director of the Home Care Association of New York State, a position she held until her retirement in 1987.

Her advocacy on behalf of home health care included testimony before the United States Senate and the New York State Legislature, and contributed to the passage of legislation at both the state and federal levels. She was appointed to the New York State Council of Home Health Care Services, and after her retirement Janet served on the Board of the State Communities Aid Association. She received several awards and honors for her contributions to the home health care field.

Janet volunteered in every community she lived in. When her children were young, she was active in the PTA and served as a Boy Scout “Den Mother” and Girl Scout Troop leader. In 1963, she was elected to the Batavia, NY Board of Education and was Vice President of the board from 1965-66. During her years in Syracuse, NY, she served on the governing boards of the Cornell Alumni Association of Central New York and Planned Parenthood Center of Syracuse and its successor organization, Planned Parenthood of Rochester/Syracuse Region. While living in Hanover, PA, Janet was an active member of Emmanuel United Church of Christ and a volunteer for the Eichelberger Performing Arts Center. Janet also made substantial contributions to her community at Homewood at Plum Creek, including organizing and overseeing the library as a member of the Residents’ Council and the Women’s Auxiliary. 

She was an avid reader and enjoyed gardening, music, and the arts.

Surviving are two sons, James H. Starr, Jr (Sherrie), of Trent Woods, NC, and Thomas E. Starr (Dianne), of Hanover, PA; one daughter, Elizabeth S. Stroomer (Jeffrey), of Denver, CO; and two sisters, Nancy Pegues of Glen Arm, MD and Cynthia Paternoster of Wallingford, CT. Janet had five grandsons, ten great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Janet lived a long, rich life and believed that all individuals can make a difference. She was a wonderful mom, grandma, and great grandma.  She will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by all in her family.

Services will be private. Memorial contributions may be made in Janet’s honor, to Planned Parenthood at www.plannedparenthood.org.

Kenworthy Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 269 Frederick Street, Hanover, PA 17331, has been entrusted by the family with the arrangements. Memories and condolences may be shared online at www.kenworthyfh.com.

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