In loving memory of Janet Bates

7/20/1959 - 2/12/2018

Location: Brattleboro, Vermont

Visits: 7,379

Janet is a beautiful soul who has left us way too soon. She is a much loved daughter, sister and aunt, and all who knew her were touched by her captivating personality. She died on February 12, 2018 in Brattleboro, VT. She was born on July 20, 1959 in Summit, NJ to William and Nancy Bates.

Janet's early years were spent in Westfield NJ, Sparta NJ, Edgartown MA and Berlin VT. She graduated from U-32 High School in Montpelier VT, and continued her education at Boston University, where she graduated magna cum laude with a BS degree in Broadcast Journalism.

During Janet's high school and college years, she was on the air as a local DJ. Upon graduation from BU, she was known as "Janet From Another Planet," working at WXKS and WVBF in Boston, and at WIOQ and WMMR in Philadelphia. On several of these stations she also held promotion and news writing positions. In New York City, Janet drove the WNBC "N" Car, on the air with Howard Stern, and also became the morning drive time deejay for Z100.

In later years, Janet studied at Keene State College in NH, and worked as a counselor at the
Brattleboro Retreat in Brattleboro VT. She volunteered at the Brattleboro Community Center, Big Brothers and Sisters, and Women's Crisis Services. Always an excellent cook and homemaker, her favorite hobbies were writing, acting, skiing and swimming.

Janet is survived by her mother, Nancy Wood, her sisters Lesley Tripp, Jill Gardner, Sally Bates, Jennifer Bates, and Sandra Varno. Her sister, Susan Bates, predeceased her in 2015. She leaves behind 9 nieces and nephews who enjoyed and appreciated her presence in their lives, and her beloved cat, Lulu.

There will be a gathering to celebrate her life later this year.