Obituary of Janet K. Kiehl

Janet K. Kiehl, age 64, died on October 22, 2009 in Stamford, Connecticut, due to complications from breast cancer. Born in Akron, Ohio, she was the daughter of Arthur H. Kiehl and Katherine M. Kiehl. After receiving a Bachelors Degree in Mathematics from Bucknell University, Janet began a career in information technology that included executive positions at IBM, AT&T and GTE. Beginning as a marketing representative and systems engineer at IBM, she was recruited by AT&T where she won leader awards while playing a role in transitioning the company from a regulated monopoly to a competitive business model. She rose through the positions of General Manager and Assistant Vice President for Marketing to Vice President for General Business Systems. Later she applied her corporate experience to teaching and consulting. She returned to college and received a Ph.D. from Case Western Reserve University with a thesis in organizational behavior. Recently, she taught in the School of Business at the University of Connecticut and independently consulted in leadership, professional development, and organizational change. During the last 20 years, Janet was also strongly committed to mentoring and inspiring individuals during important changes in their personal lives and her efforts touched many. She will always be remembered for her generosity of spirit, wise counsel, optimism and strong faith. Her passion for life was contagious. Janet was an avid gardener and often gifted her friends with homemade pesto sauce made with fresh basil from her garden. She cherished her family's traditions and delighted in passing them on to her Italian sister-in-law. She had a passion for sports, especially professional tennis, and looked forward to the U.S. Open each Fall with great anticipation. She also loved music, particularly Bach and Mozart. Janet was predeceased by her sister Judith and is survived by her parents, Arthur and Katherine, her brothers, D. Eugene and Richard, and her sister-in-law, Anna. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 7th, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. in the Ina Ellen Chapel of St. John's Lutheran Church, 884 Newfield Avenue, Stamford Connecticut. A private burial will be held at the Crown Hill Cemetery in Twinsburg, Ohio. Donations may be made in Janet's name to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, 60 East 56th Street, 8th floor, New York, NY 10022 (http://www.bcrfcure.org/). Further information may be found at www.lawrencefuneralhome.com. Funeral Home: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820