J. T. Morriss & Son Funeral Homes

Alley, Janet

Friday, September 30, 2005

Mary Janet (Campbell) Alley, died September 30, 2005 in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Daughter of the late Helen Jones & Robert Louis Campbell of Williamsburg and Yorktown Virginia. Born September 26, 1926 in Hagerstown, Md., she lived in the peninsula area until 1948 when she married the late, Lofton H. Alley of Richmond, Virginia. She traveled Europe and Japan as an Army wife and mother before settling in Chester, Virginia in 1960. A graduate of �The College� (The College of William and Mary in Virginia of course), she was always quite proud of her alma mater where she was a devoted member of Chi Omega and earned a degree in political science in 1947. In her usual �tongue-in-cheek� style her degree was proudly hung over the washing machine in the laundry room. She began a long and distinguished career as a professional volunteer in the Red Cross while still in Europe and then for 40 years in the US. In the early fifties she began her long career with the PTA while still in Germany. Her PTA Career spanned some 30 years in which she held many offices, from local unit President at C. E. Curtis Elementary School in Chester to district director for Chesterfield to Regional Vice-President, Virginia State President and National Vice-President. She told many humorous stories of her escapades with her PTA buddies, as well as with such dignitaries as Nancy Reagan and Barbara Bush and several Virginia Governors. She capped her career in PTA as a lobbyist in the Virginia General Assembly, a role she took quite seriously and enjoyed immensely. She also enjoyed many years of affiliation with the Richmond SPCA, St. John�s Episcopal Church in Chester, and the Diocese of Southern Virginia. Always an advocate of children and pets, she is survived by her sons, a daughter, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren�Robert Campbell Alley of Maryland, and his wife Harriet Stout, Lofton Holdsworth Alley, Jr., and his wife Elisabeth of Chaing Mai Thailand and Charles Lenier Alley and his wife Sarah Russell, of Durham, NC, The Rev. Marguerite C. Alley of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Her 4 grandchildren, Nicholas Holdsworth Alley, Madonna Dell�Olio, Marguerite Ruth Alley and Lofton Pieter Li Alley: as well as four great-grandchildren, Cecilia, Corinna, Helena, and Anson Alley, the family should also include the many people unofficially adopted by Janet and of course, Louie the cat. Visitation will be 7-9PM at 1917 Indian Run Road, Virginia Beach, Monday Oct. 3. A memorial service will be held at 11:00AM Saturday October 8, St. John�s Episcopal Church, Chester, VA. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Red Cross, St. John�s Episcopal Church, Virginia PTA or the Richmond SPCA. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com

Dear Family and Friends of Janet Alley... You do not know me, but I just read online of Janet's death and wanted you all to know how sorry I am that she has passed from our world, but rejoice in the surest knowledge that she has joined the next! Janet and I worked together several years when I was in the Richmond District of the VCPT and we attended many meetings and conventions together. She was always a wealth of information and a joy to be around. I don't believe Janet ever met a stranger--at least she never thought of anyone as a stranger! I know all of her family and friends will miss her here, but she is surely busy renewing former acquaintances in Heaven with so many, many friends just as surely as she has left many, many grand memories behind with everyone she met! I know it will not help to ease the pain of your loss now, but believe in your heart that you will meet again some day and when that time comes, Janet will be there waiting with a smile on her face and her hands outstretched to welcome you to her Heavenly Home and walk the road to Heaven by your side. God bless you all...

Posted by: Joyce Estep-Williams at October 31, 2005 11:29 PM

Dear Alley Family and Friends,
I offer to you my prayers and thoughts to you on the passing of a fine woman. I unfortunately never got to meet her, but she has left the VA State PTA with such an impression, that many were saddened to know that she had gone to a better place. It is truly strong women like Janet, who have helped to lead an easier path for me to follow. I wish and pray that you will find comfort in the many wonderful thoughts that you will remember of Janet.
Praying for your happiness,
Robin Grove
Parkway District Director

Posted by: Robin Grove at October 17, 2005 11:28 PM

Dear Alleys,

My PTA career started in 1988 when my son started kindergarten and Janet was one one the workshop presenters I most admired when attending Leadership Trainings. I could tell she had class and style and was passionate about the organization. As a matter of fact I refer to her quite often when I speak to new PTA leaders in the Roanoke District. I tell them that I've been in PTA so long that one of my first workshop presenters, a past state President,
mentioned "that the 25 foot telephone cord has revolutionized volunteer work" and I wonder what her thougths would be today with cordless phones and e-mails as we continue the work she devoted so many years to. It always brings a laugh. I'm honored to have met her.

Posted by: Nicole Sheppard at October 12, 2005 03:46 PM

Dear Alleys,
I was very saddened to hear of Janets death but I know she is in a much better place. I've known Janet for many, many years through the PTA here in Chesterfield. I've had the pleasure to learn from her and work along side her. She was an inspiritation and friend. I enjoyed her company and quick wit as well as her many humors stories.

You are all in my prayers as you grieve.

Posted by: Beth Dunkum at October 6, 2005 11:34 PM

I am so sorry and saddened to hear of Janet's homecoming. I am a past VA state president, and always admired her and her knowledge of so many things. She served as my Capital Committee chair and did a splendid and dignified job. Her class, poise and devotion made her an exceptional person. I will always remember her guiding me and nelping me in so many facets of PTA life. Several of us enjoed having past president luncheons and will miss her greatly in many ways. God bless the family.
Richard Martin

Posted by: Richard martin at October 6, 2005 08:02 PM

Dear Marguerite and Family: I was so saddened to read about Janet's passing in today's paper. She was such a wonderful person and someone I admired for her commitment to all the passions in her life, especially PTA. While she and I never had the opportunity to work together on the Virginia PTA Board of Managers, her presence is still felt today and she remains one of our true leaders from the past who was so very much respected and loved. May God hold you in his hands during this time and always.

Sincerely,

Dianne Florence

Posted by: Dianne Florence at October 4, 2005 02:59 PM

I grew up down the street from Mrs. Alley, and while I was a teenager, I looked after her cats and dogs while she went away on trips. I'll always remember how she took time to sit and talk with me after her trips. We talked about all sorts of things--we enjoyed each other's company rather much, I think. I realize now how nice it was to have had an adult who was, instead of a parent-figure or teacher, a friend. Also, I still have the "All things bright and beautiful...." blanket she gave me in high school. She knew how much I loved hers, so she gave me my own. She was a very special lady.

May God bless your family with peace in this time of loss.

Posted by: Sarah Goyne Walls at October 3, 2005 12:47 PM