Janet Waechter

Janet (Aiman) Waechter passed away on July 23, 2021 – she was devoted to her family, her Church, her community and her husband, Bruce.

Janet was born in Wyndmoor, PA on May 13, 1935, to the parents of Sarah (Wennas) Aiman and James Monroe Aiman. She attended Springfield Township schools, achieving numerous academic honors and sporting achievements along the way and then attended Drexel University. At Drexel, she was the freshman class vice-president, active on sporting teams, and became a school newspaper editor – a path she would continue on later in life.

In October 1954, she attended a collegiate conference in Washington, DC where she met Bruce Waechter, from Lehigh University, who worked on his college yearbook staff. That meeting began their 67-year great adventure. They were married June 30, 1956.

Over the next five years, they had three children - Rick, Sue and Jill, settling in Upper Dublin to raise their family. Janet, along with husband Bruce, was a member of Upper Dublin Lutheran Church (UDLC) since 1960. The children were all active UDLC “members” until they relocated.

Janet devoted much of her early married life to volunteering at church, supporting her children as a Cub Scout and a Girl Scout leader and improving her community as Chair of the Township’s Task Force to improve the township’s environment. As her children were growing, she found time to complete her college schooling by attending Temple University and received her degree in Journalism in 1982, and utilized her writing skills to support her numerous philanthropical endeavors. She enjoyed family, “life”, volunteering, meeting people, traveling and was a lifelong tennis enthusiast.

During the 80s and 90s, Janet spent much of her time volunteering at both Artman Home and at the Fox Chase Cancer Center. At Artman Home, she initially served on the Public Relations Committee and helped organize Artman’s Annual Golf Outing. In 1984, she became a member of Artman’s Board of Directors, serving for 12 years. During her years on the Board, she was Chair of the Public Relations Committee, and served on the Program Services, Dinner-Dance, and Development Committees. In 1998, she was honored with Artman’s Award for Distinguished Service.

At Fox Chase Cancer Center, she immersed herself as a member of the Board of Associates for over 20 years, becoming the President of the Board of Associates from 1991-92. During her tenure as President, in addition to promoting the mission of the FCCC, over $1.5 million was raised to support this institution.

Her volunteer efforts at Upper Dublin Lutheran Church began in the 60’s. Over the years, she was a Church Council member ( 7 years), Chair of the Property Committee and was co-chair of the Evangelism Committee for over 20 years. She was an active member of the Building Committee, which resulted in the building of a new Church in 1973. She led the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Church, in 2003. Sunday School and VBS teaching were natural activities, along the way.

In 2005, Janet traveled to a “companion” Lutheran Church in Tanzania with 20 local Lutheran Pastors and leaders. A decision was made, with local Tanzanian Church leaders, to develop a new college near the “companion” Church in Leshoto, Tanzania. Janet became a key member of the Southeastern PA Lutheran Synod Committee, which supported the development of this new college in 2007. It is now a university with over 2,000 students. At UDLC, she chaired the Global Mission Committee for 10 years.

While she enjoyed working with the community, her Church and various charitable organizations, her first love was always family. She will be missed by her loving husband Bruce, her children Rick, Sue and Jill and by numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, extended family, friends and those lives she touched through her countless volunteer hours.

Janet was preceded in death by her sister Ellen (Aiman) Clarke. She is survived by her husband of 65 years Bruce, and her sister Patricia Aiman and her loving family; Rick (Lauren) Waechter of Weston, MA, Sue (Kevin) Janke of Noblesville, IN and Jill (Jim) Cornell of Long Lake, MN; grandchildren Caitlyn (Tim) Morgan, Daniel (Heather) Janke, Tim (Jill) Janke, Erik Waechter, Megan Janke, Sarah Cornell, Luke Waechter, Andy Cornell and Hunter Waechter; great grandchildren Kayla Morgan, Caden Janke, Emma Janke, Tyler Morgan and Mayela Janke; and her niece and nephews and their families.

Visitation will be on Saturday, July 31, beginning at 10 am, followed by a service at 11 am at Upper Dublin Lutheran Church, 411 Susquehanna Rd, Amber, PA with Reverend Keith Anderson officiating. Burial will be private at Rose Hill Cemetery. A reception lunch will be held at the Church.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Artman Home Benevolent Care Fund or Upper Dublin Lutheran Church.

Arrangements are made by Shaeff-Myers Funeral Home in Ambler.