Janet Boger ’74 Mignano

Janet Louise Boger Mignano was born May 1, 1952. She passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on June 27, 2021.

Following a childhood in New Jersey and Michigan, she graduated from Seaholm High School, before attending Hope College, where she majored in business administration. After college, she became a manager at a Kmart store in Monroe, MI. One of her employees was Jim Mignano. He reports it was love at first sight. They were married on September 24, 1977.

Janet then moved to working at Kmart Headquarters in Troy. She worked in Store Support and made some fantastic friends. She enjoyed playing sand volleyball with coworkers during the summer and having dinners out with what someone’s spouse dubbed the “Kmart Golden Girls.” Janet had Christmas ornaments made to commemorate the nickname. After departing from Kmart, Janet worked several contract positions before being employed at GM. There, she cultivated more friendships which she truly valued.

Following the birth of her children, Sarah and Michael, Janet poured so much of her energy into making their childhood fun and memorable. She made elaborate Halloween costumes, incredible baked goods, and planned excursions to the zoo, the movies, and introduced her children to musicals such as Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera. Dinner and games were frequently planned with extended family, and the nights were always competitive and full of laughter.

Following Michael’s marriage to Jaime, and the birth of her grandchildren, Stella and Leo, Janet devoted herself to making every visit with them memorable. This included making gingerbread houses, garden stones, and bubble blowers out of socks. She frequently hit up rummage sales looking for toys for the grandkids for when they came to visit. Janet was fiercely devoted to her family. Janet attended Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church most of her life. As the granddaughter of a Lutheran pastor, faith was a huge part of Janet’s life, and her family attended 8:15 worship for many years, despite the complaints of her children about the early time when they were teenagers.

Over the years, Janet taught Sunday School, was a member of the Altar Guild, and hosted a table or attended as a guest at many Advent by Candlelight events. Janet loved when her husband Jim would dress up in a tuxedo and help her serve her tables. Janet is survived by her husband of 43 years, Jim, her children Sarah and Michael (Jaime), and her grandchildren Stella and Leo. She is the sister of Karen (Rich) Fischer and Ron (Linda) Boger. She is also fondly remembered by her sisters and brothers-in-law, and her many nieces and nephews.