Janet Lamontagne

LaMontagne, Janet (nee Parshall), after a four and a half year valiant fight with cancer, passed on Wednesday, September 3, 2014. Janet being well coordinated and 'blinged", she became known as the "Hat Lady". Not wanting to wear uncomfortable warm wigs, Janet was able to find several hats to fit her small head and enthusiastically blinged them out. Beloved daughter of the late Betty and Dave Parshall, and preceded in death by her son, Stephen LaMontagne. As the matriarch of the family, she was a sister to Pegi (Norm) Nardoni and Pepi Parshall (Sam Haggard). Loving Aunt to Mark (Katy) Zimmer, Amanda (Chuck) Long, Tony and Gina Nardoni and Great Aunt Extraordinaire to Samantha, Ashley, Emily, Julia, Elijah and Gabrielle. Cousin, niece, "adopted sister" and friend of many. Janet was a strong advocate for "her city" of St. Louis, working at City Hall for 32 years. She was the 14th Ward Democratic Committee Woman for 24 years, and a Missouri Delegate at the 2000 Democratic Convention in Los Angeles, California. Throughout her political career she was instrumental in helping fellow politicians achieve higher office. Janet's life was filled with volunteerism. Early on she was a U.S.O. volunteer and shared great stories in being the U.S.O. Donut Queen. She sat on the Board of Directors for the Missouri Epilepsy Foundation. She was a devout and proud member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, Affton, Missouri Lodge. She volunteered at the St. Louis Public Library and Shepherd's Center of Webster Kirkwood. Janet was a social butterfly in so many ways. She never met a South St. Louis bar that she didn't like and had a fantastic sense of humor and an extremely positive attitude. She wants to continue her legacy in our own lives by keeping small tavern owners in business by frequenting them in her honor. In her own words, "I want to send a special thanks to Dr. Sorscher at Siteman Cancer Center and his staff, as well as the lovely angels in the Treatment Center. I could not have done it without them." She also expressed that she had wonderful life experiences, more than a lot of people could ask for. The only thing that she wasn't able to fit in was zip lining... something new that she really was hoping to get to experience. How does she want to be remembered? She guesses like everyone else... as being kind, caring, and thoughtful. However she admitted that she was bad about remembering birthdays. SERVICES: A celebration of Janet's life will be held 10:00am Monday at JOHN L. ZIEGENHEIN & SONS, 7027 Gravois Avenue (63116). Services conclude at funeral home. VISITATION SUNDAY 4pm to 9pm. The ELKS Ritual will be held Sunday evening. In honor of Janet's love of hats she asked that any ladies attending the funeral wear their favorite chapeau. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Backstoppers, Siteman Cancer Center, Shepherd's Center of Webster Kirkwood, St. Louis Public Library or your favorite charity. If you feel the need to send flowers, Janet has requested no pink or red flowers be sent. September 7, 2014
04:00 pm - 09:00 pm
John L. Ziegenhein & Sons
7027 Gravois Avenue
September 8, 2014
10:00 am - 11:00 am
John L. Ziegenhein & Sons
7027 Gravois Avenue