Janet Lenore Dial was born in Washington, D.C. on July 11, 1941, to Julian and Lois Johnston. She passed away in her home in Oak Harbor on Feb. 26, 2016, at the age of 74.

An accomplished gardener and arts and crafts enthusiast, Janet was at her happiest when at home working with her flowerbeds or crafting a new art project — all with her trusty dog by her side. Over the years, she raised up a number of companion dogs that she would take everywhere she went. Her home was also a refuge for cows, donkeys, horses, geese, chickens, rabbits, ferrets, turtles, fish, cats, birds and even a skunk at one point named Pepe Le Pew.

She grew up in Ferndale and graduated from Ferndale High School.

On a trip to Bunk’s Drive-in, Janet met a young sailor, and on Nov. 27, 1959 in Bellingham, she and Benjamin “Harold” Dial were married. The Navy transferred the Dials to Alameda, Jacksonville and on to NAS Whidbey, where they eventually settled in their Sunrise Hills home, a home they shared for 43 years until her passing.

Janet loved living on Whidbey Island, where she enjoyed a 360-degree views of the Cascades and the Puget Sound. She served her community by providing numerous Christmas gifts via the Angel Tree every year and serving at the Oak Harbor Senior Center with Meals on Wheels. She enjoyed numerous road trips with her husband, whether it was a country drive up Chuckanut Highway with a stop at a favorite restaurant or an across the border trek to Canada for a stay at Harrison Hot Springs. She decorated for the holidays with her beautiful arts and crafts and collected an impressive display of angels, dolls and frog figurines. She was also an avid shopper.

Janet is survived by husband Benjamin Harold Dial; daughter Debbie Dial of Marysville; and son Ben (Lori) Dial of Bellingham. Also surviving are grandchildren, Christy and Brooks Rice and their children Jeremiah and William, all of Eugene, Ore.; Jessica Blindauer and fiancé John Robb of Oak Harbor; Holly and Marcelo Vargas of Lynnwood; Kelsie and Tyson Pfaff and their children Rylie and Deegan Jansen and Ashton and Tabor Dial of Bellingham; and her most recent canine companion, Groucho. She is predeceased by her parents, Julian and Lois Johnston.

Memorial services for Janet will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, March 7, at Wallin Funeral Home Oak Harbor with Pastor Brooks Rice of Westside Faith Center, Eugene, Ore. officiating. A reception will follow for family and friends. Please visit Janet’s page in the Book of Memories at www.wallinfuneralhome.com to share memories and condolences.