Obituary of Janet Fricke

FRICKE, Janet Patricia, 69, beloved wife of Philip, passed away at home in Mahwah, NJ, Thursday, January 27th. Born in Washington, D.C., Janet worked for Robert F. Kennedy at the Justice Department, and later studied, was certified, and became a Montessori school teacher. She and Philip were married July 3, 1971 in Alexandria, Virginia. Janet was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in April 1972, and fought a valiant battle for almost 39 years as the disease took possession of her body. Her legacy is that she lived every day accepting her condition without regret or complaint. Never did she question yesterday or fear tomorrow. Rather she awakened every day with a smile on her face and gave thanks for another day of living and loving. She closed her eyes every night giving thanks to God for another day of joy and happiness. She inspired all who knew her and many more who only witnessed her courage from a distance and perhaps smiled because of that. Her last message to her husband Philip before leaving was that she was not fearful and not afraid, but, indeed, was happy, and she smiled once more. Arrangements by Vander Plaat Funeral Home, Wyckoff, NJ (www.vpfh.com). Philip will receive friends and relatives at the family residence at 45 Hampshire Road, Mahwah, N.J. between 9:00 and 10:15 AM, Saturday, February 6, 2010. A memorial mass will be celebrated the same day at 11:00 AM, at Church of the Presentation, 271 West Saddle River Road, Upper Saddle River, NJ. Philip requests that donations to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater North Jersey Chapter, (www.nationalmssociety.org), 1 Kalisa Way, Suite 205, Paramus, NJ 07652, be given in lieu of flowers. Kahlil Gibran wrote these beautiful words about death in THE PROPHET: "And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall climb. And when the earth claims yours limbs, then shall you truly dance. Janet is now climbing and dancing. May God bless you, Janet.