Janet Hermes Day, 65, of Olathe, KS, passed away on Saturday, March 17 of Ovarian Cancer.
Janet was born on March 30, 1958 in Laramie, Wyoming to John V and Virginia Ward Hermes. The family moved to Overland Park, KS when she was eight months old. She grew up there and graduated from Shawnee Mission South High School in 1976. From there, she attended Emporia State University where she was a member of Chi Omega Sorority. She was voted Blue Key Darling in 1978. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and graduated in December, 1979.
Janet began her career as a Service Marketing Rep for Diebold Bank Equipment in March, 1980. After four years, she spent the majority of her career in the contact lens industry, beginning as a Sales Manager for Wesley Jessen/Ciba Vision/Alcon from 1984 through 2011. She was then employed at Firestone Optics/Diversified Ophthalmics/ABB as a Distributor Sales Representative for eight years. She ended her career as a Sales Manager for VSP until her retirement in 2021. Janet chose to treat her job in the eye care industry as a “Vocation”.
Janet was a devoted Christian, mother and loyal friend. Her proudest achievements were her daughter, Rachel LaFreniere, and her son, Riley Day. She was very involved with her children when they were growing up and in school, and she volunteered for many activities.
Her Catholic faith was strengthened when she made her Cursillo in 2007. Her daily rosary recitations were what gave her strength and fortitude. She was an active member of St. Paul Catholic Church in Olathe for 37 years.
Along with her devout love for her husband, Steve, her pride in her children, and her love for the Catholic faith, she was a loyal friend. Janet maintained several friendships from her childhood that lasted over 50 years, especially her dearest friends, Sue Felker Shehan and Susan Sisk Harding. Janet also had deep friendships and love for many of her other close friends, cousins and relatives, sorority sisters, and YMCA buddies.
Janet is survived by her loving husband, Steven Traylor, and her children Rachel LaFreniere (Phil), Riley Day, and her bonus son, Jordon Traylor. She also leaves behind her granddaughters, Cecilia and Sloane LaFreniere. Janet is survived by her siblings Victoria A. Rindt, Lynda H. Heimbach (Jeff), Rev. Michael P. Hermes, and Douglas J. Hermes. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews and their children. She was preceded in death by her parents, John V. and Virgina A. Hermes, her brother, Thomas S. Hermes, and her brother-in-law, Daryl E. Rindt.
The Rosary will be prayed at 9:30 a.m. with the Funeral Mass following at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 23, at St. Paul Catholic Church, 21650 W. 115th Terr. Olathe, KS. Private family burial.
The family would like to thank KU Medical Center and Olathe Hospice House for their care.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul Catholic Church Building Fund in Olathe, KS.