Janet Eldred Balson:  Singer, teacher, mother, grandmother, designer, croquet champion and always a giver

May 12, 1938 – September 5, 2025

Janet E. Balson passed away peacefully at her home on September 5th, 2025 with her loving husband, John, by her side. Born and raised in Oneonta, NY her early life was centered around her church and family - parents Fred A. Eldred and Marian A. Eldred (nee Shepard), and her two older brothers Donald and Bill.  At church, Janet was a singer from a very early age starting with a solo as the littlest angel at age three. (Where she had to take naps during practice, much to her dismay.) For many years, she was the lead singer in the "Shepard Trio" with her cousins Georgine and Joyce. The trio was named after their grandmother Shepard who helped them practice together. At the recommendation of their pastor, Janet went to Eastern Baptist College (now Eastern University), in St. Davids, Pennsylvania, at the age of 17. While at Eastern she was President of her sorority, a member of the touring choir, photography editor of the yearbook, and a secondary education major. She graduated in 1959. She was introduced to a young dental student, John E. Balson through the Young family. They were married and moved to England for two years while Dr. Balson was stationed with Strategic Air Command in High Wycombe. Their son John was born during their tour in England and daughter Jennifer was born after the family moved back to Pennsylvania.

Janet was a loving mother and always the teacher. She taught at The Tarleton School in Berwyn, PA for a few years and also loved to share the wonders of the world with her children and grandchildren, John and Christian Alvarez, through books, art, history, architecture, music, food, and games. She played the guitar and the piano beautifully, playing countless songs by heart. Janet also enjoyed painting, sewing, and above all loved architectural and interior design. She studied the best designers and architects and enjoyed helping friends and neighbors with their projects. Janet also designed and drafted all the architectural drawings for our family home in Devon, PA. For the next 25 years, she ran her husband's dental practice. She was a dynamo and most of all a giver, from caring for orphaned girls in her youth, to volunteering for Wills Eye Hospital and the Devon Horse Show, to teaching Sunday school, and English as a second language in retirement. If there was a need, she would try to fill it. Everything she did was for others, except perhaps croquet, which she learned later in life. She made a lot of friends, organized tournaments, and was a little embarrassed by all the trophies she had accumulated. As her husband of 66 years, Dr. Balson, said "She was a beautiful person inside and out." We will miss her.

She is survived by her husband, Dr. John E. Balson, her son John and daughter-in-law Janice (nee Schatzel) of Phoenixville, PA, her daughter Jennifer and son-in-law Jose C. Alvarez of Summit, NJ, grandsons John and Christian Alvarez, brother William J. Eldred of Merritt Island, FL, sister-in-law Sally Eldred of Vestal, NY, cousin Joyce Rowe, and nieces, Lydia, Sarah, Anita and Susan, and many grand-nieces and nephews. Janet was preceded in death by her parents and brother Donald.

A celebration of life will take place at Wayne Presbyterian Church on September 27, 2025 at 11AM. 125 E Lancaster Ave, Wayne, PA 19087

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Wayne Presbyterian Church Music Program because Janet loved music and the joy it brings. https://waynepres.org/