Obituary of Janet J. Vandergrift

Janet J. Vandergrift, 83, of Fairmont, passed away on Wednesday, March 17, 2021, at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown. Janet was born in Pennsboro, WV on February 26, 1938, a daughter of the late Earl Hood and Edna Haught Hood. Janet is survived by her sister Faye Snuggs and her brother Paul Hood in addition to her daughters, Dale A. Kerns-Handley and Susan Cherubino; grandchildren, Christa Merrill-Fazio, Dylan Merrill, Hannah Merrill, Sherry Bombard, Heather Meyer, Lisa Kinty, and David Handley; great-grandchildren, Skyla Hays, Cheyenne Bombard, Tisha Snodgrass, Devon Meyer, Chloe Fazio, and Peyton Fazio, great-great-grandchildren, Jude Snodgrass, Willow Snodgrass, Isabella Snodgrass, November Hays, Emry Hays, Copelynn Jones, Cherokee Jones, Trevor Handley, and David Handley Jr.; in addition to her parents, Janet was preceded in death by her first husband James Ralph Kerns, and her second husband Harry E. Vandergrift. She was also preceded by her brothers, Earl Hood, Jim Hood, John Hood, and David Hood; sisters, Virginia Zolciak, Jo Ann Tredway, Bessy Hood, and Nancy Hood. Janet’s love for her family was the driving force of her life. She was always concerned about and there to support others. She is sadly and deeply missed by us all. Her commitment, loyalty, and sacrificial devotion to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren will be grieved deeply and her generous spirit leaves a great legacy to live up to in her absence for her family, friends, and neighbors. Janet was full of life and energy. She loved to dance and was a long time member of the Y Squares. She was also an avid exerciser and natural food enthusiast. At the age of 77, she converted to the Catholic faith, was baptized, and became a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. She had 25 plus years of faithful service to the Marion County Board of Education and was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. The family will receive friends at Ford Funeral Home, 201 Columbia St., Fairmont, WV 26554, on Monday, March 22, 2021, from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. with a vigil service at 6 p.m. Visitation will continue at the funeral home on Tuesday, March 23, 2021, from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. The funeral service will be held in the funeral home on Tuesday, March 23, 2021, at 11 a.m. with Father Jojan Joseph, CST as celebrant. A committal service will follow at Grandview Memorial Gardens in Fairmont. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.fordfuneralhomes.com.