Janet M Lay

Janet M. Lay, born January 15, 1940, in Newville, Pennsylvania, led a life centered on family, service, and simple joys. She grew up with her parents, Charles and Mary McGowan, who taught her the value of care and dedication that defined her for 85 years.

Janet shared 64 years with her husband, Harry Lay, building a strong partnership and raising their sons, Dale Lay (Christine), Marc Lay (Jennifer), and Mark Allen (Sheri). Janet’s warmth and encouragement extended to her grandchildren: Grant, Megan, Sierra, Ava, Braeden, and Elijah, and a great grandchild, Judah, with another great grandchild soon expected. She is preceded in death by her parents, her son, Dale Lay, and her sister, Mary Kammerer.

Janet’s commitment to her family knew no bounds. She rarely missed her sons’ basketball games or the baseball games that Harry coached, where she often assisted as scorekeeper. Later, she poured her time and care into her grandchildren’s lives, never missing a moment at their schools.

Community played a large role in Janet’s life. She volunteered her time to W.G. Rice Elementary for 19 years and the Boiling Springs High School library for 7 years, providing reliable help to staff and students. Her early career included work as a court reporter and secretary for several judges, including Judge Shughart. Later, she served as notary and legal secretary at the Douglas, Douglas and Douglas law office until her retirement. Those she worked with valued her careful work and reliability.

Janet enjoyed reading, playing cards and making scrapbooks for her children and each grandchild, saving small moments for the future. She collected magnets from trips she and Harry took with friends, the Shenks, traveling to places like the Panama Canal, Mexico, and Newfoundland. These reminders of exploration and friendship filled her home.

A celebration of Janet’s life will be held Thursday, June 19, 2025, at noon at Otterbein United Methodist Church, 647 Forge Road, Carlisle, with visitation starting at 11 a.m. Interment at Fort Indiantown Gap National Cemetery will follow at a later date.

To honor Janet, the family asks for donations to the Dale Lay Memorial Fund, PO Box 494, Boiling Springs, PA 17007 or Otterbein United Methodist Church. Janet’s influence will remain with her family, her friends, and those she helped in her community. The impact of her kindness and the example of her lifelong commitment uplift all who remember her.