Janet Lappin Sabo, 91, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away April 29, 2020, at Ascension Hospital in Novi.

Janet is preceded in death by her husband, Frank, siblings Patricia Kinghorn and Richard Lappin, and parents Mildred and Dudley. Devoted mother of Mary Christine (Tim) Swies of Birmingham MI; Jayne Sabo of Dana Point CA and, Patty (Joel) Karsten of Minneapolis MN; and loving grandmother of Alexandra and Spencer Swies. She was her family’s national treasure and dear heart.

Janet was a strong believer in education and a proud Marygrove College alumna, earning her undergraduate and graduate degrees there, then went on to teach others at the high school and college levels. She was proud of her family’s educational accomplishments, with all three daughters and granddaughter earning Master’s degrees and her grandson who is a West Point graduate.

Janet, a former Mrs. Dearborn, selflessly served her community through organizations such as the Kiwanis Women’s Auxiliary and American Association of University Women in her early life and later at the Capuchin Soup Kitchen. Janet was an active member of Dearborn Country Club for many years, as well as her churches, including St. Anselm in Dearborn and St. Fabian in Farmington Hills. Janet also worked at Ford Motor Company for ten years.

Janet’s focus was always her home, not for the material things it held, but rather for the opportunities it gave for her family and friends to gather. Every gathering was special because Janet made it so. She loved to laugh and was happiest when surrounded by her family.

Despite the many medical hardships Janet endured for most of her adult life, she was nevertheless elegant, gracious, spunky, resilient and determined. Her strength of character knew no bounds, and her capacity to love her family was limitless.

Janet’s life will be celebrated at a future date and she will be interred at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are appreciated, to the Adrian Dominican Sisters (www.adriandominicans.org or 517-266-3480).