Obituary of Janet L. Pinkava

March 17, 1941 - December 12, 2024

Janet L. Pinkava.  Age 83 of Wyandotte.

Beloved wife of the late Paul.  Loving mother of Margaret (Marc Michaelian) Liubakka and Susan Zimmerman.  Dearest grandmother of William Zimmerman, Matthew Zimmerman, Kelcie Liubakka, Jessica (Bryton) Hutchings and Erik Liubakka.  Great grandmother of Lucas, Ryder, Dean and Wade.  Preceded in death by her parents William and Margaret Dickson and her sister Nancy Ferguson.

Memorial contributions are appreciated to Alzheimer's Association or American Cancer Society.

FAMILY TRIBUTE:

Janet Lou Pinkava was born on March 17, 1941 (St. Patrick’s Day) to William Marven and Margaret Idell Dickson in Wyandotte, Michigan and had an older sister, Nancy.

In school she was a cheerleader, played the French horn in the band and spent her summers on Martha’s Vineyard spending time with her aunt, uncle and cousins. Janet graduated from Wyandotte Roosevelt High School in 1959. She attended Virgina Farrell School of Beauty, became a licensed cosmetologist and worked in a salon until she had children. Later in life she became a certified nurse’s aide and worked at Seaway Hospital in Trenton.

She met the love of her life, Paul Pinkava, during high school. He was her date to her senior prom and three years later on May 5, 1962, they were married. They welcomed two daughters into the world, Margaret in 1964 and Susan in 1966 and were happily married for 50 years until Paul’s death on May 26, 2012. 

Janet loved being a Brownie & Junior Girl Scout Leader for her daughters and was active in the PTA (Parent Teacher Association) at Bates Elementary in Woodhaven. She was also an Election worker for many years.

Since she was a child, she loved to camp (in a tent or a travel trailer) and travel all around Michigan, across the US, and to other countries around the world.  England and Scotland were two that she loved. She also loved cruising to Alaska, the Caribbean, and the Mediterranean.  

In retirement, she would spend the winter months in Florida. She was on Ladies golf leagues in both Michigan and Florida and was a good golfer. 

Spending time with extended family & friends was very important to her and she even went on family vacations with some of their friends. She loved her Bunco club! Janet was always helping others and made family a priority.  She loved photography and took pictures at almost all family activities, and made an effort to attend as many school programs, sporting events, and band concerts as she could to watch her grandchildren. She was thrilled to be a great grandmother. We will all miss her dearly but will cherish all our memories with her.