Janet H. Cobb

Janet H. Cobb, 79, of Battle Creek, Michigan, died peacefully surrounded by family on Wednesday, January 13, 2021. She was born May 12, 1941 in Battle Creek, Michigan, to Jack and Noreen Smith. Janet married Thomas L. Cobb at St. Philip Catholic Church on January 27, 1962.

Janet was kind hearted, humorous and a great listener who knew the true meaning of loyalty and friendship. She displayed a tough Irish character that was unmatched.

A third generation, twelve-year student of St. Philip Catholic Central, Janet graduated in 1959. She was a proud captain of the Fighting Tigers Cheerleading Squad as well as the Homecoming and Mardi Gras Queen. She left her legacy to continue on at St. Philip where today the sixth generation of the Tobin/Smith/Cobb/Robotham families continue with Janet's great grandson, Hunter Robotham.

Janet's primary interest was her family. The daughter of Jack and Noreen Smith and sister to five siblings, she raised four children and was blessed with ten grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Her greatest joy was spending time with each of them and when she could be together with the extended family during holiday gatherings at her sister Cathy's home or other celebrations.

Janet began her career at Michigan Bell in downtown Battle Creek as a switchboard technician. To focus on raising her four children, she became a homemaker and also completed her education at Kellogg Community College. She was a legal assistant and then served as the executive assistant for the Vice President and trust department at Michigan National Bank for several years. Janet joined the WK Kellogg Foundation in 1983 serving for 20 years as the executive assistant for
grants to the greater Battle Creek area.

Janet is survived by her husband Thomas. She is also survived by three sons, Brian Thomas Cobb(Gina), Gary Richard Cobb(Jodi), Steve Joseph Cobb(Tiffany); a daughter, Shelly Lynn Cichy, two sisters: Anne Greenman(Ed), Cathy Erskine(Todd) and brother, Rick Smith(Lrenda); ten grandchildren: Melissa Andras(John), Jonathan Cobb, Sheri Beth Robotham(Jeff), Travis Cobb(Haley), Mallory Cobb, Abigail Cobb,
Nathan Cobb, Jillian Cobb, Andrew Cichy, and Mitch Cichy; four great-grandchildren: Emma Andras, Charlotte Andras, Hunter Robotham and Jameson Cobb. Janet was preceded in death by her parents Jack and Noreen Smith, two brothers, Patrick Smith and Mike Smith, and a son-in-law, Jason Cichy.

Janet was a friend to everyone she met, greeting everyone with an infectious smile that touched her eyes, she had a quick wit and laugh of welcoming warmth to all. She truly enjoyed life, with many interests including travel to northern Michigan to their second home, Notre Dame Football, watching her family participate in athletics and other events for several decades. She was an avid fiction novel reader, enjoyed exercise and decorating her home. Home was important to Janet, she loved her
hometown and was a lifelong resident of Battle Creek. Janet enjoyed a rich and fulfilling life before being called home to our Lord Jesus Christ.

The family will not have services at this time, due to COVID-19. In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be sent to the Battle Creek Area Catholic School Foundation for the Tom and Janet Cobb Fund for Tuition Assistance at 63 North 24 th Street, Battle Creek, MI 49015. The fund was established by the Cobb family several years ago to support families in need of a high-quality Catholic education at St. Philip.

Arrangements by the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.