Janet Oslund, long time resident of Belltown, Seattle WA, passed away peacefully on June 21, 2024 at Providence Mt St Vincent (skilled nursing/rehabilitation center) 2 months after suffering a serious stroke.   She will be greatly missed by family, co-workers, and friends.  Janet treasured the Belltown Community.  A colleague and friend described Janet as “intellectually curious, a teacher, a champion for right and underdogs in jeans and a tee shirt”.

Janet will be remembered by her family for her artistic creativity, her sense of humor (she described it as a talent for laughing at the most inappropriate times), and her musical talent – playing guitar, mandolin, and clarinet.  She was a voracious reader.  Janet was a vigilant and loving dog guardian for Molly, Mikey, Emma, Dingo, and Captain.

Born in Spokane WA to Lucille and Walter (Gus) Oslund, she is survived by two sisters, Karen Gill and Betty Chavira; two nephews – David and Michael, and a niece – Kristy Gill-White.  She is preceded in death by her parents, and close friend and partner Lou Ellen Peffer.  Janet and Lou Ellen lived aboard their sailboats “Grace” and “Quantum Leap” on Bainbridge Island for years, and subsequently relocated to Belltown Seattle.

Janet was a member of Spokane’s Hobnailers Hiking Club for several years, hiking hundreds of miles on many adventures, including a trip to Switzerland, Italy, and Germany.

Janet graduated from Joel E Ferris High School in Spokane WA and graduated with a B.S. Biology from Washington State University, Pullman WA.  Her career included a stint as a teacher, a fire insurance inspector, and almost 39 years of service for the City of Seattle, Land Use and Planning Department.  She started as a permit Specialist in 1985, and served as land use technician, plans examiner, land use planner, and most recently as manager for engineering and plans review.  From another colleague: “She was a tremendous educator and advocate for anti-racist work in our department and at the City of Seattle. She facilitated countless trainings and discussions working for many years with the City’s Race and Social Justice Initiative.  She lived with purpose, always leading with inclusion and equity, calling out problems and presenting solutions.  We all learned and gained from her loving spirit, she will be missed.”

Donations in Janet’s name, for the care of Janet’s dogs Mikey and Molly, can be made to:  Urban Animal, 2200 6th Avenue, Suite 110, Seattle WA 98121 “Account of Mary Wade for Mikey and Molly”.