Janet Claire Lenhart Sjolin
"Dr. Jan"
December 15, 1944 - June 21, 2021
Newburgh, NY

After 36 hours of labor my mother pushed me into this world, butt first, on a snowy winter day at Prospect Heights Hospital in Brooklyn, NY.
I was born to Raymond Joseph and Sonja Johansen Lenhart, both deceased.
During WWII my father was stationed in Guam in the U.S Army Air Corps. I first met him when I was one year old. My brother, Lawrence Alan Lenhart, deceased, was born three years later.
We lived with grandma in Brooklyn until dad purchased a GI loan house in Farmingdale, Long Island, NY. There I was a member of the Farmingdale Methodist Church.
Kindergarten through high school was in F'dale. A 1966 graduate from Kings County Hospital Center, then a 1972 graduate as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner from Downstate University.
My first job was babysitting, next a Candy Striper then a nurses aide, for several years at Kings County Hospital in Pediatrics: general peds, peds medical ICU, children's receiving ward (ER), and was involved in the first "Code 66" resuscitative response team. Dr. Frank Fields (ex-weatherman) won an Emmy for a documentary he did on a successful code.
From Brooklyn to Spring Valley (Lakeside School Infirmary Manager) to St. Luke's Hospital (maternal child health) to Healthshield-CHP-Kaiser Permanente (general pediatrics) to private practice (New Windsor Pediatrics) from which I retired.
I have always been a child advocate in my 42 years of practice, and I learned at least one, valuable heart-warming lesson from my patients every single day. Lessons that helped me grow, but also kept me young at heart. There were some tragedies, but mostly joy the young people brought me.
My humble home on Orange Lake was cozy, always welcoming and surrounded me with all the treasures I loved. Over the years my four Golden Retrievers (Jesse, Jeremiah, Josiah and Jinjer) gave me unconditional love and companionship.
Creativity was always important to me: reading, musicals, crocheting, designing cards, painting, writing, Broadway theater, museums, beach combing anywhere, yard sales, soup kitchens, Pop Warner, and Special Olympics.
Survivors include my brother's wife and children; Gail, Karen and Keith, my Uncle Paul Johansen (wife Joan, children Linda and Nancy), many cousins, especially Laurel Annie who checks on me often, and good friends. Also, my ex-husband Nils R. Sjolin.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in my name can be sent to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, or to UNICEF (United International Children's Education Fund).
Thank you.