NAGS HEAD — Janet Carol (Turner) Kneisel, 68, passed away in her home on July 1, 2023, with her loving husband and sons by her side.
Janet was born in December of 1954 to the late Robert and Helen Turner in Rahway, NJ. She grew up with her parents and two sisters, Peggy Duncan and Gail Aquila (deceased) in Sewaren, NJ. A graduate of Woodbridge High School, Janet would go on to receive her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Rutgers College, committing her personal and professional life to some of the most vulnerable members of any community: children and individuals with disabilities.
Janet met the love of her life, George Kneisel, in their senior year at Rutgers. They would marry that fall, beginning a life together that would span more than 46 happy years. That fall also marked the first of Janet’s more than 25 years in education. She would serve as a classroom teacher for students with special needs across every grade level of elementary school, the director of an early childhood center, and a volunteer educator and program leader for a Saturday catechism program for individuals with disabilities aged 6 to 60.
A loving mother to three sons, Janet would raise her family in Carteret, NJ before moving to Smithfield, VA. She loved many things: gardening, creative arts, cooking, listening to music, books, a good game of cards, puzzles, talking with friends, General Hospital, hosting family holidays, and, most importantly to her, her family. A woman of great integrity, she kept an open heart and an open door to anyone who needed it while holding the highest expectations of everyone in her life.
Janet and George eventually moved to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, realizing their dream of waking up together every day at the beach.
Janet is survived by her husband, George; her sister, Peggy; her three sons, Christopher, Terrence, and Matthew; their spouses Kelli, Amy, and Lauren (respectively); her seven grandchildren, Noelle, Madeline, Dylan, Eliza, George, Olivia, and Turner; and numerous nieces, nephews, siblings-in-law and other extended family whom she loved dearly.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Please share condolences with the family at gallopfuneralservices.com. Gallop Funeral Services was entrusted with arrangements.
