Janet Marie Mackie

Janet Marie Mackie of Buchanan, Michigan, formerly Janet Mann, passed away peacefully in her home on March 4th, 2015 at the age of 71 with her husband and daughter by her side. Born in Buchanan on March 31st, 1943 to Ida and Jerry Mann, Janet was the younger of two children. Growing up in a small town, she learned the value of family and community, a trait that reverberated throughout her life. After graduating from Buchanan High School, Janet attended Lake Michigan College in Benton Harbor for two years before moving on to the University of Western Michigan. In 1965 she met the love of her life, John Mackie, while attending the university, and the two were married in Buchanan in June 1966. In 1967 the growing family left Kalamazoo for Schaumburg, Illinois before eventually landing in Crystal Lake, Illinois in 1972.  Over twenty-eight years, Janet became a pillar of the community, raising 6 children and becoming a regular staple at football and basketball games, cross country and track races, and dance competitions. Her love of sports never dissipated, as she spent her last night watching her beloved Kansas Jayhawk basketball team. Janet also had a deep love of nature and spent thousands of summer hours deep in the woods outside Hayward, Wisconsin. Following retirement in 2000, Janet and John moved to Port Orchard, Washington before eventually finding their way back to her hometown of Buchanan in 2007 to be closer to family and friends, particularly her brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Jodean Mann, and the small community that had such a large impact on her life. Janet is preceded in death by her son, Scott Mackie, and brother-in-law, Paul Mackie. She is survived by her husband of 48 years, her brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Jodean (Reinholt) Mann, sister-in-law, Phyllis (Caruso) Mackie, five children, Pamela (Dan) Malott, Sherri (Brian) Martinie, Jerry (Jules) Mackie, Stephanie (Paulie) Santos, and Mark (Abby) Mackie, nephew, Michael Mann, nieces, Barbara Mann and Lindsay Mackie, as well as 15 grandchildren. A time to  visit will be on Sunday March 8th At Swem Chapel from 3-6 p.m. Where a service  celebrating her life will be held on Monday at 10:30 a.m. Pastor Edward Slate of FaithUnitedMethodistChurch  officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Buchanan Community Schools Technology Department 401 W. Chicago St. Buchanan, Michigan 49017 Burial will follow at  Oak RidgeCemetery in Buchanan.  To sign her guest book or leave condolence message please visit www.swemchapel.com