Janet Neal (née West), of Strongsville, Ohio, passed away on December 27, 2025, at the age of 53. Born on March 30, 1972, Janet was a woman whose life was defined by a radiant spirit, a sparkling sense of humor, and a heart that belonged entirely to her family and her community.

Janet was a woman of extraordinary strength and spirit. To know Janet was to be swept up in her warmth. A rare soul who maintained friendships from childhood to her final days, she was cherished by all for her quick wit, her unwavering kindness, and a demeanor that remained stubbornly positive regardless of what life threw her way.

Janet was the quiet engine behind her family’s success. As the backbone of her and her husband Steven’s landscaping company, her dedication and sharp mind helped transform a dream into a thriving, successful business. Yet, it was in her later years that she found a different kind of calling: driving for Strongsville City Schools. To the students on her bus, she was a protector and a smiling face; to her coworkers, she was a trusted and supportive beam of sunshine; and to her family, she was a master storyteller. She would return home with hours of "bus stories," recounting the sweet and silly moments of her day with a joy that filled the entire house.

In 2022, Janet faced her greatest challenge when she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. A true warrior, she beat the disease three separate times, defying the odds with a "fight like hell" attitude. Even as she faced complications from her treatment, she remained the pillar of her family, holding Steven and Lilliana up when they felt they might fall. She never stopped smiling, proving that her spirit was something no illness could touch.

For her daughter, Lilliana, Janet was more than a mother—she was her idol, her best friend, and her entire world. She was the light of her small but fiercely bonded family and the person Lilliana will forever aspire to be.

Janet was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Shirley West (née Uhler); her father-in-law, Roger Shreve; her sister, Alma Hearty; and her long-time four-legged companion, Max, who undoubtedly met her with a wagging tail.

She will be eternally missed by her devoted husband, Steven Neal; her loving daughter, Lilliana Neal; her mother-in-law, Karyn Shreve; her brother, Roy West (Becky); her brother-in-law, Jeff Hearty; and her dogs, Duke and Scotty. She was an aunt and dear friend to many.

“If love could have saved you, you would have lived forever.”

Graveside service at Sunset Memorial Park,  Monday, January 19, 2026 at 12 noon.