Janet McCleary Harsher passed away peacefully in Ellicott City, MD, on October 22, 2024 surrounded by her loved ones.

She was born on August 11, 1930, in Baltimore, MD, to William and Ella Bauer, where she grew up and resided in a family home that also included her sister, Audrey, both grandmothers and her paternal grandfather, as they aged.

Janet met her husband, Colbourne "Buzz" Harsher while still in high school at a "bunny hop" dance. They married on November 19, 1949. Their first daughter, Sharon, was born a year later, shortly before Buzz's Marine Reserve unit was activated and based at Camp Lejeune, NC, and Parris Island, SC.

Upon his return, the family resided with Janet's sister Audrey's family in Baltimore for several years until their second daughter, Jill, was born; and they moved to Timonium, MD, where they resided permanently.

Janet was a genuine "neighborhood Mom," hosting sleepovers, birthday parties, snow day hot chocolate treats, and charitable endeavors. She was a longtime member of St. Timothy's Lutheran Church in Timonium. When St. Timothy's later folded into Grace Lutheran, she became a member there.

She and Buzz loved to travel and they visited a variety of different countries. She especially loved their regular trips to Ocean City, Maryland, where she vacationed since childhood.

Janet is survived by her daughter, Sharon Crain; grandson, Jess Grempler; her sister, Audrey Belsinger; and many loving nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Buzz, her daughter, Jill Grempler, and her son-in-law, Tom Crain.

A celebration of Janet's life will be held in the Chapel at Peaceful Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Center, 2325 York Road, Timonium, Maryland at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 7.

In lieu of flowers, Janet may be remembered with memorial contributions to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital , 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105 or Gilchrist Hospice Care , 11311 McCormick Road, Suite 350, Hunt Valley, Maryland 21031.