Janet T. Loring

JANET TEETOR LORING

Janet T. Loring, 87, of Oil City died in her home on Wednesday, April 18, 2018.

Born Feb. 9, 1931, in New Castle, Indiana, she was the daughter of C. Ray and Zola Houser Teetor. In 1948 she graduated from New Castle High School and was valedictorian of her class. She attended Christian College, Columbia, Missouri, for one year and then transferred to DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, where she received a Bachelor of Music degree in 1952 and a Master of Music degree in 1953. When at DePauw, Janet was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta social sorority, Mu Phi Epsilon music sorority, and Pi Kappa Lambda national music honorary fraternity. It was at DePauw that she met Richard Loring, to whom she was married on August 22, 1953.

Janet received her teaching credentials from Ball State Teachers College in Muncie, Indiana, and taught both elementary music and classroom education in Indiana. Janet also taught music at the Cranberry Jr-Sr High School in Seneca, PA, in the early 1960s after relocating to this area with her husband.

Janet was well known in the community for giving private music lessons, primarily piano, in her home. She was the principal cellist for the Venango Chamber Orchestra and last performed with the orchestra on November 5, 2017, when the orchestra observed its 25th year. At that time, she received recognition as one of the orchestra’s founding members. She was active in the Schubert Musical and Literary Club of Oil City and Venango Community Concerts, serving in many positions within those organizations.

In 1968, she became a member of Pennsylvania Federation of Music Clubs (PFMC) Board of Directors and held many positions, including president.  She was a recipient of The Keystone Salute, PFMC’s highest honor, and a Presidential Citation, in addition to being elected an Honorary Member by the Board of Directors.

Janet was very active in the National Federation of Music Clubs, representing PFMC on the national Board of Directors for 8 years and later serving as Vice-President of the Northeastern Region.  In addition to offering her service on several committees during her years of involvement, she coordinated the annual Federation Week at Chautauqua Institute for many years. In 1988, she was made a Life Member of the National Federation of Music Clubs.

Surviving along with Richard, her husband of nearly 65 years, are two sons, Steven and his wife Meredith of Las Cruces, NM, David and his wife, Sherrill of Atlanta, GA, and a daughter, Lynne Socash and her husband, Joel, of Pittsburgh, PA. She is also survived by six grandchildren, Jason Loring and his wife Julie of Atlanta, GA, Sarah, Rachel, and Leah Loring all of Atlanta, GA, and Hannah and Jeffrey Socash of Pittsburgh, PA. Three great-grandchildren Oliver, Eleanor, and Louise Loring also survive. A sister, Sue T. Close, of Santa Rosa, CA, survives along with nieces and nephews.

Arrangements are being handled by Reinsel Funeral Home & Crematory in Oil City. A memorial service will be held at a later time.

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