Janet Gale Devereaux Bell

Janet Gale Devereaux Bell, age 71, unexpectedly and peacefully departed this life on Wednesday, November 25, 2020, at her childhood home in Louisville, Kentucky. She is survived by her children, Brenna Darah Wallhausser (Karl) of Berea, Kentucky; Jennifer Gale Roberts, also of Berea; and Jason Glenn Devereaux Roberts (Ashley) of Louisville. Surviving grandchildren are Jason Glenn Roberts Jr., Hannah Elizabeth Wallhausser, John Matthew Wallhausser, Connor Micah Roberts, Jaren Brice Vessels, Jayla Ashtyn Elizabeth Roberts, and great-grandson Jason Glenn (Tripp) Roberts III. Janet also leaves behind many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins; her first husband, Verlin Glenn Roberts; and Margaret Ann Hale, a cousin who, early in life, became her second sister and friend. She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Albert Carl, Jr., and Mary Elizabeth (Medley) Devereaux; her siblings, Albert Carl Devereaux III and Donna Richardson; and her husband, Robert Bell. Janet was born in Louisville on August 7, 1949. She was a graduate of Butler High School. After serving with the Peace Corps, she attended Southeast Community College and earned a practical nursing diploma. Janet’s nearly four-decade nursing career was spent primarily in long-term care facilities. She felt a special connection to older generations and found meaning in learning patients’ stories and meeting their needs. She mentored many nurses who credit her with showing great compassion both for patients and new members of the profession. Janet was deeply connected and committed to the Catholic church and faith. She was a member of several congregations over the years, finding her most recent home at Incarnation Catholic Church. Inextricably tied to her faith was her abiding love of music, especially church music. Janet sang with many church choirs and was especially proud to serve as cantor. She sang one of her favorite hymns, “How Can I Keep from Singing,” to each newborn grandchild whose birth she attended. From their first breaths, she gifted them faith and music. It gave her great joy to see her grandchildren sing in choirs and musicals and play trumpet, violin, percussion, and piano. Known as Mom, Janet, Mimi, Grandma, and Auntie Jan, Janet loved and lived for her family above all. All through life, she made tremendous personal, financial, and professional sacrifices to care for, support, and encourage the well-being of her children and grandchildren. She extended that same love and sacrifice to many other family and friends who needed compassion and a helping hand. Her favorite moments were the few holidays when the entire family gathered at her home. Janet opened those celebrations by having everyone hold hands, while she led them in a prayer she could never quite finish without tears. That empathy and care for her family and friends, along with her faith and love of music, are her legacy. Her “life goes on in endless song.” Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a private mass will be held for local, immediate family only with arrangements by Incarnation Catholic Church and Owen Funeral Home. A public memorial service will be held when indoor social gatherings are again safe, after which Janet will be interred next to her parents and brother at Louisville Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested in Janet’s memory to Berea Community School Band and Choral Music Programs, ATTN: Matthew Barnhill, 1 Pirate Parkway, Berea, KY, 40403. Notes of sympathy may be sent to Janet’s children and grandchildren in care of Jennifer Roberts, 109 Brushwood Court, Berea, KY. 40403

Janet Gale Devereaux Bell

August 7, 1949 - November 25, 2020