Janet Parker Remen

Life-long Evanston resident, Janet Parker Remen, known affectionately as “Grammy” to her 12
grandchildren, died peacefully on Feb 22nd.

Janet was born on May 9, 1930, in St. Louis MO, the youngest child of Margaret and Lee Parker and younger sister of Jean Parker Morley. The family eventually settled in Evanston where, except for her college years at her beloved University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Janet lived her entire life.

Janet attended Miller School, Haven Middle School, and Evanston Township High School before
attending the University of Michigan where she received a degree in education and met her husband
Chuck, (Chuckles she affectionately called him). Janet and Chuck were married for more than 50 years and raised their five children in an open and loving household that was always full of family and friends.

She was generous with support for friends, acquaintances, and even near strangers. Janet was always happiest with a house full of people and as a result made connections that lasted a lifetime. In fact, her true passion was, simply, people. She liked nothing better than getting to know someone new. She ran a bed-and-breakfast out of the family home starting in the eighties, long before the idea was fashionable. She would engage her guests over the breakfast table and before they knew it, they had spilled their life story.

Janet and Chuck were married in 1952 and raised their five children together in Evanston. She and Chuck were birds of a feather, open and welcoming, friendly, and full of life, dedicated to their community and neighborhood. Just like Chuck, Janet was civic minded. She served as president of Miller School PTA and as president of the Foster Reading Center Board of Directors. Janet liked to keep busy. In the 70’s she was flipping houses in Evanston long before the Property Brothers were born and founded Bed and Breakfast Evanston/Chicago which became Janet’s Place, decades before the Internet and AirBnb.

Janet was a pioneer in many ways. Janet’s intelligence, charm, wit, and compassion allowed her to bring out the best in people. Whether it was hosting the large, growing Remen family (almost 30 including spouses and grandchildren), she was always happiest surrounded by family and friends.
After Chuck preceded Janet in death in 2006, she married a second time to a former neighbor and longtime friend, Jim Moran. Together, they blended three Hinman Ave. families – the Remens, Morans, and Tuckers. Jim Moran preceded Janet in death in 2009.

Janet is survived by her children: Susan King (m. Robert), Carol (m. James Ossyra), Margaret Tarkington (m. Donald), Thomas, and Lee, twelve grandchildren, one great grandson and her dear caregiver Micaela Flores.

A celebration of Janet’s life is planned for June, date, and location to be determined. For those
interested in honoring Janet’s legacy, donations may be made to the James B Moran Center for Youth
Advocacy or the Chuck Remen Memorial Fund at the Evanston Community Foundation.

Arrangements entrusted to Chicagoland Cremation Options of Schiller Park, IL