Janet "Jan" Moffat, born February 22nd, 1941, slipped into the welcoming arms of her Lord and Savior on Saturday, July 25th, 2026, after courageously enduring significant health challenges in recent years. Janet's mortal journey was marked by faith in God, grace, optimism, love, friendship, and determination, along with a crazy love of all things cats and kittens.

A Life Celebration Social will be held in Janet's honor on Saturday, August 29th, 2026 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Fireside Room, Shepherd Church of the Nazarene, 425 S. Hamilton Rd, Gahanna, OH.

Born to William "Bill" and Dorothy Jane Kohler Worthington, Janet lived the majority of her childhood in Pleasant City, Ohio, except for a brief time in Columbus. After her 1959 graduation from Pleasant City High School, she went on to the Grant School of Nursing in Columbus, OH, obtaining her degree in 1962. From 1962 to 1966, she worked as a private surgical nurse at Grant Hospital for cardiovascular-thoracic surgeon Dr. Maurice Buckles. Her career path ultimately led to her work as Medical Executive Secretary to the Chief of the Section of Endocrinology/Metabolism Department of Pediatrics Dr. Juan Sotos at Children's Hospital (Nationwide Children's Hospital), from which she retired after 40+ years.

Respect, admiration, and love of friends, family, and acquaintances followed her throughout her days because she was always looking to uplift others. Rarely was she ever found without greeting cards and a pen as she made sure friends and family knew they were loved and remembered on their special occasions or when they needed encouragement. Janet's generous spirit and love of family were highlighted in 1974 when she donated a kidney to her sister Beth.

Janet's love of cats often put her own wellbeing below that of the furry felines. Ever vigilant and looking for new fur-baby parents, she persuaded friends, Lisa and Spencer, into adopting one of the local cats. Most recently, Janet was thrilled that her sister and brother-in-law's "foster" cat, Jasmine, became an official member of the family.

An avid reader, Janet kept up with world news, history, and a plethora of all types of books. She loved novels, historical fiction, and nonfiction alike, always giving great recommendations to anyone who was interested. She always had a pile or two of books ready whenever she finished her current reading.

In July 1983, Janet married Donald Moffat. Work, cultural events, and service mingled with travel filled their lives with continual growth opportunities. Always game for new adventures, they rode elephants in Kathmandu, Nepal and cruised on the Isaac Evans Schooner during some of their many trips. Don was involved in community theater, and just as Janet was a bright light to the people around her, she helped provide stage lighting for productions as well. As active members of Shepherd Church of the Nazarene in Gahanna, their deep and abiding faith were examples to others.

Several months after Don's November 29th, 2007 passing, little did Janet know that her life was about to be changed by a voicemail. Early in their marriage while on a cruise, Janet and Don met Erv and Barbara Cook, and Erv and Don remained friends through the years. Erv, then a widower, left a voicemail for Janet to see how she was holding up. Once she decided to return the call, one call turned into two, followed by many more between them. Their budding friendship ultimately turned into a courtship, and in September 2012, they were united in marriage. World travels, road trips, dancing at the 94th Aero Squadron, Janet's retirement, evenings of music with their jazz family, time at Lake of the Ozarks, working out at the Jewish Community Center, and more comprised their life together. Erv said that "Jan was his nurse, and he was her travel agent." They were constant companions until Erv's passing in January 2021.

Janet's legacy is a lasting reminder of all the good qualities that we should strive for in our own lives. She was brave and willing to try new things, such as piano lessons with her teacher, Nadine, who would become her best friend and who is also credited with turning Janet into a diehard OSU football fan.

This quote from friends Richard and Rosemary echoes the feelings of each and every person in her expansive circle:

"We adored her. She lived a life of service, humility, and courage. She touched the lives of everyone she met. She was a thoroughly engaging conversationalist showing genuine interest in others and a natural curiosity. She embraced challenges and faced adversity with little complaint. And there are generations of kittens that literally owe their lives to her. We met her through a common interest in dance which she nervously embraced because she knew Erv liked it. She was a loyal friend and faced advancing years and declining health with courage, dignity, and remarkable aplomb. She was a joy to know and a pleasure to be with. We are all better people for having known her."

Janet is survived by her sister, Martha (Sid) Kasper, nephews Brian (Karen) Shorten and Steve Shorten, stepdaughters Linda (Gerry) Mueller, Deb Cook, and Judy (Marvin) Rice, and other extended family members and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her sister Elizabeth Ellen "Beth" Worthington, husbands Donald Moffat and Ervin Cook, parents Bill and Jane Worthington, grandparents Robert and Opal Kohler and William and Elizabeth Worthington, stepson Phil Moffat, friend Karen Thurnau, numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

To honor Janet, in lieu of flowers, memorials are encouraged to Cat Welfare in Columbus, Ohio.