Janet Nancy Hendershot - Obituary

anet Nancy Hendershot of Upper Marlboro, MD, age 90, died peacefully on February 22, 2024. She was born on June 20, 1933, in Phillipsburg, NJ and graduated from Phillipsburg High School in 1952. She was predeceased by her parents, William H. Cheeseman in 1945 and Leila B. Cheeseman of Phillipsburg, NJ in 1979; her beloved husband of 58 years, Leo F. Hendershot, Jr. in 2013; great-grandson Juan D. Rodriguez of Laurel, MD in 2020; and sister Nettie M. Miller of Easton, PA in 2023. She is survived by her sons Steven Hendershot (wife Wendy) and Scott Hendershot, and daughter Susan Bearns (husband Joe); 8 grandchildren: Jeremy Rodriguez (wife Sharita), Seth Rodriguez, Miriam Rodriguez-Thorne (husband Tino), Rachel Rodriguez, Leah Hawkins (husband Will), Stephanie Vest (husband Robby), and Samantha and Shannon Hendershot; 11 great-grandchildren: Antonio Rodriguez, Freddie Daniels (wife Elizabeth), Kiarra Murillo, Nazir Rodriguez, Aureliana Thorne, Miriano Thorne, Gavin Vest, Graeson Vest, William Hawkins III, Frank Hawkins and Leah Rae Hawkins; and nephew David Miller and great-nephew Jordan Miller. Janet devoted her life to her husband and family. As a military spouse, she actively supported her husband’s 24-year career in the Air Force, which saw assignments in IL, NY, NJ, LA, Thule Greenland, DC, and ultimately MD, where they bought their first house and settled. Janet also provided administrative support to her husband’s volunteer efforts, coaching and managing the Youth Bowling Program at Andrews AFB from 1970 to 2000, which helped enrich and inspire the lives of hundreds of children and adolescents by teaching them about teamwork and sportsmanship. They also successfully partnered in a home-based tax preparation business until 2012. Janet was a people person, the consummate helper, a wise counsel. Known for her generosity of spirit and love of family, friends and animals, Janet could always be counted on to lend a listening ear when someone needed to talk. She used her sewing talents to craft custom Halloween costumes that delighted her grandchildren. Christmas was her favorite holiday and for many years she enjoyed creating beautiful heirloom quality ornaments and other decorations to share with others. One of her favorite pastimes was reminiscing, especially about her youth. Despite growing up in the depths of the Great Depression and enduring the sudden loss of her father when she was only 11 years old, she recounted endless fond experiences, such as dinners consisting of nothing but piles of fresh corn on the cob and a pet chicken she pushed in a stroller. Although we can no longer feel her loving and ready embrace, our precious memories together will live on forever in our hearts. Friends are invited to Janet’s Visitation on Sunday, March 3, 2024, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD, where her funeral service will be held on Monday, March 4, 2024, at 11 a.m. Interment Lakemont Memorial Gardens, 900 W Central Ave, Davidsonville, MD, at 12:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the SPCA, a charity near and dear to Janet’s heart. Please leave a condolence for the family by signing the guestbook at the Memories tab on the left side of this page.