Janet Rae (Buchanan) Estok

Janet Rae Estok was a devoted wife, mom, grandmother, great-grandmother, and favorite friend to many. She was the family matriarch, a supporter of underdogs, always sharp and stylish, and constantly looking ahead to the next celebration.

Born in 1939 in Medina, Ohio, to the late Zelda M. Susi and Earl Buchanan, Janet spent her childhood with her confidante and sister, Joan, and best friend, Joyce. She was a talkative student, competitive roller skater, and spent much of her free time in local churches learning to sing.

Janet and her mom moved from Medina to Cleveland in the early 1960s, where Janet worked as a bank teller. This paid the bills, but Janet’s real passion was singing for big bands at local ballrooms and for Frankie Yankovic, America’s Polka King. Her grace, beauty, and powerful voice mesmerized crowds.

In 1962, Janet met the love of her life, John Estok, at the aptly named Lucky Haven, a neighborhood watering hole in Parma. John had returned from the U.S. Marine Corps and was destined to continue a life of service as a Cleveland police officer. The two were instantly inseparable and soon were married at St. John’s Byzantine Cathedral. Janet converted to the Byzantine Catholic rite, and they joined St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church where all four children enrolled in the parish school. John and Janet were favorites of the monsignor and priests at St. Mary’s because of their willingness to pitch in. Janet was a long-time PTA treasurer, and John a school bus driver when not on his police beat.

After marriage, Janet became a full-time mom but would later work at St. Mary’s (keeping an eye on her kids!), at a hardware supplier (also keeping an eye on her kids who worked there!), and as a talented salesperson at Goldsmith’s Jewelers in Strongsville (this time spending much of her earnings on jewelry for her kids!).

Janet’s four children treasured family dinners, which she made a priority, often featuring singing and dancing in the kitchen. She loved demonstrating the Stroll, learning the Hustle, and rocking with her kids to everything from Gary Plunkett and the Union Gap and the Four Seasons, to Led Zeppelin and Van Halen. In addition to the weeknight fun, nothing was more beautiful than watching Janet move with grace, rhythm, and joy on the dancefloor with her lifelong dancing partner, John, at Church picnics, weddings, and other special occasions.

Janet was exceedingly proud of her children. Her eldest daughter is an ultrasound specialist in the medical field, and her eldest son is an executive in Cleveland’s construction industry. She treasured her time with them and their children. She was the consummate athletic booster for her grandchildren – always supporting their endeavors and attending games, meets or matches, from football and softball, to swimming and track, to tennis. She and John always showed their love by attending their many school events. She especially loved birthdays and graduations, never forgetting to send cards, and lovingly preparing the stuffed cabbage or potato salad that only she could make. For many of her family members, Janet functioned as their Google search for special occasion recipes. She was in high demand and on the speaker phone for hours on many holidays, especially Thanksgiving.

Janet’s two other children moved away from Cleveland, initially to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps and the Peace Corps; they later became a U.S. Government analyst and global business consultant. Janet and John journeyed to see their youngest son graduate at Parris Island. They drove, unknowingly, through military maneuvers during the Guatemalan civil war and braved the dirt roads of the Honduran North Coast to visit their daughter’s remote village. When grandkids entered the picture, Janet treasured visits to see them in North Carolina, New Orleans, Washington, D.C., Boston, and Panama. She also treasured their visits to Cleveland. These grandkids fondly recall Janet standing at the front door wistfully waving goodbye each time their cars pulled out of the driveway.

Even in her 80s, it was striking how many people loved Janet. She retained relationships from many eras of her life. She especially enjoyed her ladies’ lunch bunch and treasured her relationships with long-time neighbors on Lakeview Drive, her friends at the YMCA, and later her association and friendships with the Sunshine Singers. She especially loved her many cruise adventures with her husband and friends, exploring the Caribbean, Panama, Mexico, and Hawaii.

Janet was a kind, caring, and funny person. She always saw the positive side of things and gave people the benefit of the doubt. As one of her grandchildren put it, she continued to be our light even as her life was ending, and she will forever be a light to those who loved her.

Janet Rae Estok (nee Buchanan) is survived by her devoted husband of nearly 60 years, John Estok, her loving children Mindy (Jeff), Melissa (Peter), Steven (Patty), and John (Eileen), and her dear sister, Joan Sorg. She was grandmother to Kristen, Jeffrey, Heather, Danny, Livvy, Caelin, Jack, Casey, Sawyer, Lana, Cooper, Sydney, and Piper. She had one great-grandchild, Jayce, and there is another on the way.

The Estok family will receive friends at the Mallchok Funeral Home, 5660 Ridge Road, Parma, OH, Sunday, August 28, 2022 from 2-5 p.m. Parastas Sunday at 4:30 p.m. Relatives and Friends are invited to attend the Funeral Service on Monday, August 29, 2022 at Dormition of the Mother of God Byzantine Catholic Church (formerly St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church), 4600 State Road, Cleveland, OH 44109 at 11 a.m.

Interment will follow at Holy Spirit Cemetery and friends are welcome to join a reception at Holy Spirit Hall immediately after.

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