Janet Marilyn Michael

Janet M. Michael, age 94, passed away on June 2, 2026, in Akron. She was born in Lakewood, Ohio, on April 6, 1932, the third of four children born to Joseph B. Davis and Marguerite (nee Mason) Davis. She was raised in Akron and was a graduate of Buchtel High School.

Jan was a classically trained pianist, receiving her first piano at the age of 6. She was a student of David Kahn from the age of 9. As a teenager, after the death of her father, she worked as a piano accompanist for performers at WAKR radio in Akron. At age 18, she took master classes taught by Leonard Bernstein and Aaron Copland at the Berkshire Music Festival at Tanglewood Music Center in Massachusetts, where she was their youngest student. Jan auditioned for, and was accepted at, The Julliard School in New York, the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, and The Peabody Institute in Baltimore. She chose Peabody and attended until she and Burt were married in 1951 and they relocated to Camp Pendleton in California. Upon Burt's discharge from the USMC, they returned to Akron, where they completed and raised their family.

Jan never abandoned her musical roots; she simply redirected them. In 1962, she began her affiliation with Weathervane Playhouse as Musical Director for "The Fantasticks" at the Copley Road theatre. She was the playhouse's Musical Director for 30 years, served on the Board of Trustees and Women's Board, taught Musical Theatre classes, and was Marketing Manager. She shared her skills with Akron Public Schools, Coach House Theatre, Akron Children's Theatre, Magical Theater, Akron Jewish Center, and Anshe Sfard Synagogue. She accompanied many local performers. Jan did more than "play piano". She worked diligently to teach performers to excel with confidence.

Jan worked for the O'Neil's Department Store from 1965-1976. She established the Book Department at the Summit Mall store and was promoted to the position of Book Buyer. She later worked at the Bookhound, Pickwick Books, and Borders Books, retiring from Borders in 2009. She began volunteering with the Friends of the Library in 2010, and served on the Board of Trustees and the Senior Adults Advisory Committee at the Akron Jewish Center from 1970-1981. Jan was an antique dealer for 10 years.

Jan's legacy is a lifetime of learning. She taught herself Hebrew and taught Hebrew School at Anshe Sfard Synagogue. In her 50's, she learned to quilt and created many quilts, all sewn by hand. With her quilting phase completed, she learned to repurpose laces and ribbonry. Her new venture, appropriately named "Repeat Performance", channeled her skills into the creation of bridal purses, pillows, collages, and many other treasures. Jan was a dollmaker. She created a doll she dedicated to her great grandmother, Jane Henry, and she hand sewed over 100 dolls. Her dolls are a cherished family keepsake.

Jan was an inquisitive student of history, a voracious reader, and the keeper of family memories.

Jan was preceded in death by her son, Steven R. Michael, and her husband of 59 years, Burton S. Michael. She is survived by her brother, Jerry (Charlotte) Davis; daughters and sons-in-law, Laurie and Russell Hall, Jill and James Forster, and Susan Michael (David Moledor); grandchildren Matthew (Lauren) Hall, Rachel (Patrick) Brand, Joseph Michael, Jack (Sarah) Michael, Scot (Andrea) Sexton, and Jacob (Jess) Sexton; great grandchildren, Kate, Luke and Jude Michael, Michelle and Zachary Brand, Elyse, Myla and Owen Hall, Ruari and Juniper Sexton; nieces, Kathe Davidson and Kelly Cliff; nephew Martin (Mary) Hochman.

A Celebration of Life, or, as Jan would have called it, her "Final Curtain", will be held on SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., at Weathervane Playhouse, 1301 Weathervane Lane, Akron.

Private inurnment will take place at Mt. Peace Cemetery in Akron.

Memorial donations may be made to the Friends of the Main Library, supporting the Akron-Summit County Public Library, 60 South High Street, Akron, Ohio, 44326