OLATHE — After a brief battle with cancer, Janet Ross Black, 68, of Olathe passed away on Saturday, May 22, 2010, at her home.

Janet was born July 7, 1941, in Parsons to Keith and Maxine Ross, who preceded her in death in 1987. Janet graduated from North Kansas City High School in 1959.

After graduation, she married George Black in 1961 and moved to North Carolina, where George was stationed with the Marines. After a short stay in North Carolina, they moved to Aurora, Ill. While in Aurora, she was a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and was involved in the Illinois Plays and Dinner Ball to raise funds for the children who needed dental assistance. She was a member of Aurora Christian Church, where she worked with the junior high kids.

She moved to Olathe in 1978 and helped with several different activities, including Bunco, knitting, bowling and providing cancer patients with cancer caps. She also was a devoted stay-at-home mom for her four children.

Survivors include her husband of 48 years, George; her children, Richard Black and his wife, Joyce, of Kansas City, Suzette Zolotor and her husband, Scott, of Olathe, Shawn Black and his wife, Brandy, of Belton and Rusty Black and his wife, Katie, of Olathe; eight grandchildren, Roqhelle, Keith, Jeanette, Ross, Atticus, Mae, Jordan and Gracie; two brothers, Bob Ross and Wade Ross, both of Kansas City; and a sister, Sarah Ross-Perlingiero of Kansas City.

The memorial service was on May 26 at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, Olathe. Inurnment was at Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens.

Memorials are suggested to the Ronald McDonald House.

Condolences can be left at PenwellGabelOlathe.com.