Janet O’Neill

Janet O'Neill, 70, of Topeka, passed away Saturday, February 2, 2019.

She was born in Topeka on August 23, 1948, the first of three daughters to John and Wilma O'Neill. She was a 1967 graduate of Topeka High School and worked for over 40 years at Jostens. She loved her pets, never turning away a stray and even building an outdoor shelter for cats too timid to come into her home. She became close to many of her coworkers, forming life-long friendships; and her "neighborhood family," who were fond of her loving spirit and giving nature. She and her sisters had a friendship only sisters could know, and the bonds she shared with her nephew, niece, great-niece, and cousins were everything to her.

Janet was very proud of her Irish heritage and visited Ireland as a young woman. She remembered going to a small town and singing Irish folk songs in a pub, likely drinking Coke at the time as she would never touch alcohol. She also loved the Christmas holiday and once collected Santa Clause figurines, but most of all she loved spending time with her family and friends, playing games such as International Rummy.

She was preceded in death by her parents. Survivors include her sisters JoAnn O'Neill and Patty Winslow (Joe), nephew Justin Rocha (Lonna), great-niece Annika Rocha–who she cherished deeply, and numerous cousins.

Honoring Janet's request, she will be cremated and no memorial services are planned. A gathering of family and friends will take place on February 15th at 11:00 at the Garden Chapel of the Historic Topeka Cemetery, 1601 SE 10th Avenue, Topeka, KS, and a Celebration of Life will be planned at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society.