Janet Hamilton Newton, 64, Lawrence, died early Christmas morning of complications from pancreatic cancer. Born May 1, 1955, she was the third child of Glenn and Irene Wall Hamilton and raised on a farm south of Canton, Kansas. She attended and graduated from the Canton-Galva schools, Hutchinson Community College, Wichita State University, and earned a Masters in Social Welfare from the University of Kansas.
Janet worked her entire career in the human services: mental health, post-secondary education, and philanthropy. She married Chris Newton at Faith United Methodist Church, Hutchinson, during a spring snow storm on March 30, 1985. Their family grew to include two sons, Austin and Kevin who now live in Hutchinson and Leavenworth respectively.
She held various leadership and teaching positions at Faith UMC and volunteered on several boards, most recently the Hutchinson Regional Health System and the City Planning Commission. Janet was an avid non-fiction reader and follower of news and politics, enjoyed giving away items she cross-stitched and loved to travel, especially internationally.
She is survived by her immediate family, brothers Gary and wife Debby Hamilton, Wichita, and Randy Hamilton, Canton; mother-in-law Barbara Newton, Hutchinson; brothers-in-law Craig and wife Kristy Newton, Decatur, Tex, and Clint and wife JoAnn Newton, Salina; one nephew and eight nieces and their families, and a host of friends and former co-workers.
A celebration of Janet’s life will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, January 18, 2020, in the Stringer Fine Arts building on the Hutchinson Community College campus. Memorial contributions are suggested to Circles of Hope – Reno County, Hutchinson Community College Technology Scholarship, or Faith United Methodist Church of Hutchinson.
We met Janet when she and Chris came west to visit their WestCoast cousins some time ago. We enjoyed conversation and a lovely westcoast dinner. Janet took special notice of the new work our church was doing to minister to the materially poor in our community. Even after she and Chris left she sent articles and brochures to help guide us to an effective work. I am forever grateful for her sweet and caring influence on our family and church.
Janet always was ready to listen when I dropped in her office. And some days there were multiple daily stops. She helped me solve many problems, both professional and personal. She was just good that way!
I will miss my dear friend Janet. We’ve solved a lot of the world’s problems over the years even if it was just the two of us getting together. Janet handled everything with such grace especially during her illness. She could laugh and cry with the best. I always loved getting together with Janet because when we parted I always felt energized. She enriched my life by sharing hers with me. She was so intelligent and thoughtful. She understood the reality of things and took things in stride. Her faith was at the core of all her decisions and relationships. Like I told her on our last visit, I am not saying goodbye but rather I will see you again. So until then my dear friend, know that every time love just shows up in my life I will pause and think of you because you are just pure love!
Janet was one of my dearest friends. I was privileged to walk with her in her journey with cancer. She was able to transcend her illness in many ways, continuing to think of others. She told me when I saw her in Nov. that she prayed each night for restoration or resurrection. She got her resurrection on Christmas! I loved her and will miss her, but I know that she is wrapped in love and comfort!
Janet took me under her wing when I came to Hutchcc over 20 years ago. I will be forever grateful for all she taught me. She was a good one, always wanting the best for others!
Janet was a wonderful person and an amazing friend. I was so privileged to know and work with her during her time at HCC. She had a sparkling wit and an amazing sense of humor. Her friendship was one of the highlights of my time working there. She loved to discuss politics and was so creative and caring. Her heart was always in the right place, and she wanted nothing more than to make this world better. She will truly be missed by all. My condolences to Kevin and the rest of her family…prayers to you all.
I’ve known Janet my entire life, being in the same class at school and attending the Baptist Church in Canton while growing up. Even though we had lost touch, there are a lot of wonderful memories. My deepest sympathy for Janet’s family and friends. Be at peace….
I knew Janet since I was young and we lived in Canton. I always wanted to be included when my sister Barb and Janet would get together. I remember Janet had a Barbie house. My sister Barb and Janet’s friendship continued even after we moved away from Canton. Barb and Janet continued to correspond and get together thru out the years. Barb always looked forward to visiting with Janet. They had a special friendship.