Janet Catherine Harward was born August 24, 1961. She passed away on November 26, 2016. She is survived by her loving husband of 35 years, Bill Harward, her sons Adam (Julie) and Scott Harward, and her beloved granddaughter Annabel Dina Harward. Janet is also survived by her mother, Nancy, her sister Helen (Vince), her brother Ron (Rene) and nephews and nieces whom she all loved dearly.

Janet was preceded in death by her father, Donald Dean Devore, and both sets of grandparents.

She was one of three children born to Donald and Nancy Devore. Janet grew up in a town called Central Valley, currently called Shasta Lake City near Redding, California and attended the local schools there. After graduation from Central Valley High School Janet attended San Jose Bible College (which has been renamed William Jessup University). Janet’s father had attended this college and attending the Bible College was a very meaningful time for her. Janet and her father shared a special love for words and throughout her lifetime the use of words held special significance for Janet. She remembers as a child the times she would hear her father reciting poetry in the evening, because, she explained, poetry is meant to be spoken out loud.

Janet grew up in a Christian home and her father was active in the church and preached regularly. Janet remembers in childhood, that her life sometimes was used in part of a sermon illustration. She understood well the path of a “PK” (preacher’s kid). Attending church and growing in her Christian faith was a lifelong pursuit of Janet’s, and her spiritual gift of faith was evident in her encouragement to others.

In 1980 Janet met the man who would be the love of her life, Bill Harward. They dated for a short time and then Bill proposed. When Janet let her parents know that they would be getting married her mother told her that she would need at least six months to prepare for the wedding. As years went on, Janet recognized her mother’s wisdom in saying she needed some time, for it gave the young couple time to get to know each other and build a solid relationship.

Janet was all about relationships. Her family and the people she loved were her passion and she was able to articulate her care and concern for people very effectively.

Bill was from Humboldt County, California and he found work at the Pacific Lumber Company in Scotia, California. The couple lived in Scotia, a lumber mill company town. Janet found work at the Humboldt Beacon newspaper where she could make good use of her special appreciation for words.

Soon the young couple welcomed their first child into the world, Adam William Harward. Janet recalls that Adam really liked to be clean and as a little boy really didn’t like getting his hands dirty. Adam shared Janet’s love for words and books and school was a happy place for Adam. Two and a half years later the family welcomed a strawberry blonde outgoing little boy named Scott MacKenzie Harward. Scott had his own way of looking at the world and Janet appreciated that he was a thinker and accepted people for who they were. Now the family was complete. Janet often spoke of the special and uniqueness of both of their children and valued each one for their individuality and counted each one special gifts from the Lord.

Bill and Janet had an obvious deep love and respect for one another. Their companionship is something others looked upon with admiration. They each would share with others the good attributes of the other and encouraged and supported each other. Each year Bill would arrange a special get away for their anniversary including finding babysitting while they went away. This time was especially meaningful to them and they anticipated this time together each year.

Bill and Janet loved their entire extended family and would make special arrangements to spend time with them at the holidays and other family vacations.

Bill and Janet attended churches throughout their time in Humboldt County – First Christian Church, Hydesville Community Church and Redwood Christian Fellowship. They counted “church family” as important. Bill and Janet were involved in their faith community and contributed much time and effort in outreaches in the community and serving in a variety of ways.

Above all Janet had an abiding faith and confidence in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. While she did not want to leave us this soon, she knew with surety that when she left this earth she would be with Christ – her supreme joy. While we know that she is free from her difficulties and trials on this earth and rejoice that she is with the Lord, we also grieve her passing because we will miss her dearly.

A memorial service will be held at the Nazarene Church in Fortuna, 1355 Ross Hill Road at one o’clock in the afternoon on Saturday, December 3rd.

In lieu of flowers a donation can be made in Janet’s name to Samaritan’s Purse.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Janet Harward’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.