Hailing from Hagerstown, Maryland Janet W. became a part of our KP family in September of 2017. Janet attended the University of Maryland where she became a member of the Kappa Delta Sorority. Upon graduating from the University of Maryland, Janet married Josh M. a veteran returning from war.
Janet and Josh raised two children, Kent who currently lives in California, and Kristie who lives in Bethesda. Following in her father’s footsteps (Real Estate), Janet joined the residential real estate market and became a broker with W.C. & A.N. Miller Realtors, now Long & Foster. Quickly rising to the top, Janet became the number one in sales and listings in her Bethesda office and became a lifetime member of the “Million Dollar Sales Club” a designation provided by the Washington Board of Realtors.
One of the biggest projects that Janet and her husband undertook was the building of their Georgian Colonial in Bethesda in 1963. They worked for years collecting antiques and architectural elements for their home. Janet took classes and scoured periodicals for the architectural details she wanted to include in their home. Every door knob and every cabinet had her research and selection behind it. Every room had different elements, from crown molding, to light fixtures. The family spent weekends scouring the countryside in Upper Marlboro for an old tobacco barn to purchase to use the materials for their home. They paneled their large recreation room with the beautiful silver wood; the family “library was paneled in beautiful oak wainscot paneling that was purchased from the original Motion Picture Association before it was torn down. The paneling had 9 coats of paint that was carefully stripped (a family project for a while) until the project became just too big to manage. Carpenters pieced the paneling together to create a beautiful paneled library with leaded glass windows, hand carved mantle and beautiful English accessories and furniture. Other paneling was purchased from the Ball Room of the Motion Picture Association and was used in the Master Bedroom. It was a very special home with a beautiful curved staircase. Her daughter Kristie’s wedding reception was held in the house. According to Kristie, the staircase was the perfect location for a bouquet toss! “Dad always wanted me to do that”.
Janet juggled her Real Estate business while caring for her husband, who died at the young age of 63, Janet was just 56 and a young, beautiful and very socially active widow. She was a highly regarded hostess, who entertain in her home, she was known for the beautiful parties she hosted. She created the flower arrangements, prepared the food and created a warm atmosphere where all guests were comfortable and treated like royalty. Fires were always lit in the fireplaces and the house was warm and inviting.
Janet was active as a volunteer and sat on many committees such as the Hope Ball for project Hope, Florence Crittenden Circle, National Symphony Orchestra Ball, and the St. Alban’s Mother’s Club. Janet continued her passion of antiquing, gardening, Ichiban flower arranging and French cooking.
When you visit the Groves be sure to stop by and say hello to Janet and check out some of her beautiful antiques.
February 10, 2019