Janet Means Obituary

Janet Boynton Means 84, formerly of Lake Bluff, Illinois, died peacefully on Tuesday September 2, 2014 at her home in Lindenhurst, Illinois. Born November 18, 1929 in Red Bank, New Jersey, Janet grew up on a farm in nearby Colts Neck, New Jersey. In her youth, she loved riding her horse and walking the woodland trails. Her childhood appreciation of our world's natural beauty became the foundation of an abiding environmental ethos, a value she shared with her children. An activist for peace, social justice, and the environment, Janet was an early advocate for the formation of Lake County Forest Preserve. Janet received her undergraduate degree in teaching from Wheelock College in Boston. She married Richard Newton Means in 1950. Together, they moved to the Chicago area, settling in Lake Bluff in 1956. While raising her family, Janet tutored students in the Lake Bluff schools and taught 3rd grade at Lake Forest Country Day School. In 1985, Janet earned a Masters in Social Work (MSW) from the University of Chicago, ultimately serving as a social worker for the Salvation Army and Be-HIV, helping people cope with life-changing events. As a resident of Lake Bluff and Lake Forest, Illinois, Janet developed many treasured lifelong friendships. She also volunteered with numerous organizations, including PADS, Lake Bluff Garden Club, League of Women Voters, and Planned Parenthood. Joining the Lake Forest Friends Meeting (Quaker) in the 1970s, she found not only a spiritual home but a supportive and loving community from which to explore and act upon the troublesome social questions of her time. As a member of the Friends, she became active in state leadership, nationally as a conflict mediator, and traveled internationally to visit projects, fellow activists, and beneficiaries in several countries. Janet was predeceased by her parents Samuel Burritt Boynton and Helen (nee Ross) Boynton of Colts Neck, New Jersey; her brother Whitman C. Boynton; and her beloved first husband, Richard N. Means of 28 years. Janet is also predeceased by her second husband Thomas Underhill, with whom she enjoyed four happy years. Surviving are her children David B. Means (Sonja Carlborg) of Virginia, Betsey M. Wills (Scott Wills) of Chicago; and Sarah C. Means of Marin County, California; her granddaughter Emily Wills of Chicago; and her brother Samuel B. Boynton, Jr. of Vermont. Janet is also survived by her second husband's children, Sally Underhill Wisseman (Charles) and Nick Underhill (Mary Kay); and grandchildren, Nick Wisseman, Emily Wisseman, and Jane Underhill. Janet's life will be celebrated at the Lake Forest Friends Meeting House on Saturday, September 13, 2014 at 2:00 PM. The Meeting House is located on the southeast corner of Ridge Road and Old Elm Road in Lake Forest. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lake Forest Friends Meeting at PO Box 95, 101 Old Elm Road, Lake Forest, Illinois 60045.