Janette Charness

JANETTE LINDA CHARNESS, 91, died of natural causes October 10.

Born March 14, 1919 as Linda Secchi in Cook County IL, but orphaned young, she was adopted by the Pisano family, who changed her birthdate to June 10, 1919, which she observed henceforth.

On scholarship to Trinity High School in River Forest, she sang in the glee club, joined the National Honor Society, edited the school paper, graduating valedictorian, class of '36.

At women-only Rosary College, she wrote sonnets for the campus literary magazine and pledged Theotokeion (the Catholic university equivalent of secular Phi Beta Kappa). She also attended nearby Bryant & Stratton Business College.

On September 18, 1940, she married fellow Chicagoan, attorney Casey Charness (né St. Charnez). Following his 1946 discharge as an Army major, they were driving through Texas, stopped for lunch at the Hotel Lubbock, and decided to live here ever since.

Their law firm, well-known in the 1950s and 60s, was born as Charness, (Rodrick L.) Shaw, and (Ralph S.) Daniel. Her personality and work skills made her popular among lawyers, judges, and doctors, and she belonged to the Lubbock Association of Legal Secretaries for many years.

Quietly proud of her acceptance to Mensa, the international organization for the intellectually gifted, she was Texas' oldest active member.

Her husband preceded her in death in 1981. She is survived by sons Casey St. Charnez and Kelly Charness; daughters-in-law Lisa S. Harris and Joanne Romano Charness; granddaughters Christina and Marissa Charness; and great-grandson Matthew Charness.

She would be delighted to know that Queenie, her beloved German Shepherd, is cared for by animal rescuer Cindie Markle and is doing quite well at age 13. Queenie looks forward to walking with Linda again some day.

Sanders Funeral Home at 1420 Main hosts a visitation 6-7pm Friday. St. Elizabeth's Church at 2305 Main has a mass at 10am Saturday, followed by interment at Resthaven, 5740-19th.

Friends are encouraged to wear bright colors, preferably pink, as she utterly detested black.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in her name to South Plains Wildlife Rehab, 3308-95th, Lubbock TX 79423.