Janet Hartka Price 1947-2017
Janet Hartka Price, 69, of Seattle, Washington, passed away while on holiday in Ireland with her husband. She died in a bike accident while at the Gap of Dunloe in Killarney National Park. She did not suffer.
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Janet was born in Detroit, Michigan on the 11th of August, 1947. She attended Southfield High School. She received her bachelor’s degree in math from the University of Michigan and her master’s degree in computer science and business from the University of Wisconsin. Janet went on to have a long and successful career at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and then later at Weyerhauser in Seattle. She was a pioneer for women in technology and management.
Most importantly, Janet was a loving and supportive mother and grandmother. She adored her daughters Jennifer and Erika and spent countless hours with her grandchildren. Janet found the love of her life in Don Theiler, with whom she would spend the rest of her days. They were together for 30 years traveling the world and raising their families.
After retiring, Janet pursued her passion for art. She drew inspiration from her extensive travel around the world and from her beloved extended family and friends. She had art studios in Taos and Seattle and she created beautiful paintings and other works. Janet was perpetually in motion. She was a top-notch skier, avid hiker and cultural explorer.
Janet is survived by her husband Donald Theiler, two daughters Jennifer Price and Erika Price; four grandchildren, Ethan Barnes, Colman Barnes, Benjamin Barnes and Dylan Claussen; sister Carol Brodeur and brothers Dale Hartka and Lyle Hartka; three step sons, Lincoln Theiler, Brent Theiler, and Nathan Theiler; former husband Douglas Price and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given for a memorial to be placed in Killarney National Park at the site of the accident. Also, donations can be made in Janet’s honor to the Alzheimer’s Association. The family would especially like to thank the Gardai (police) of Killarney and other members of the community who assisted, for their incredible sympathy and support.
Poem by Oliver Sacks
"There will be no one like us when we are gone, but then there is no one like anyone else, ever.
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When people die, they cannot be replaced. They leave holes that cannot be filled,
for it is the fate—the genetic and neural fate—of every human being to be a unique individual,
to find his own path, to live his own life, to die his own death. I cannot pretend I am without fear.
But my predominant feeling is one of gratitude.
I have loved and been loved;
I have been given much and I have given something in return;
I have read and traveled and thought and written.
Above all, I have been a sentient being, a thinking animal,
on this beautiful planet, and that in itself has been an enormous privilege and adventure.”
