Gelfand, Vullemier, Janet                                            * Home

1965(Vestal Central HS) 

Janet passed away in early April 2006                               

 

                                Janet kicking up with old friends at the 40th Reunion July 2005

Janet with 

Martha Ann McCarty

Barb Friend

Donna Wing Mason

Cynthia Kamin

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Janet Gelfand, 59; dynamo inspired her family, other patients 
By Courtney C. Gross, Globe Correspondent | April 10, 2006 

Whether cheering on her daughters at the Boston Ballet or pursuing the latest innovative treatment for her ovarian cancer, Janet (Vullemier) Gelfand was known for boundless energy. She had a magnetic personality and a spirit that often drew her toward committed friendships, said her husband, Dr. Jeffrey A. Gelfand.

''She always had time for everybody: the bagger at the grocery store, the man pumping gas, and the woman at the dry cleaner," said her husband, a researcher and physician at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Mrs. Gelfand, a resident of Cambridge, died on Friday after battling cancer for more than five years. She turned 59 two days before her death.

Mrs. Gelfand would not let her disease drain her energy, and if standing on her hands could influence her treatment, she did it, her husband said. While on oxygen in February, Mrs. Gelfand flew to Qatar to enlist the support of the country's royal family on behalf of cancer research. She met with Qatar's minister of health and campaigned for basic research, although the trip posed a severe risk to her own health.

Her doctor, Dr. Michael Seiden of Massachusetts General Hospital, said Mrs. Gelfand was an advocate for patients and believed everyone should have access to healthcare.

''People like Janet inspire people like myself to keep working, to keep trying new things," Dr. Seiden said yesterday in a telephone interview.

Throughout her struggle with cancer, Mrs. Gelfand experimented with pioneering treatments. She was always adventurous and appreciated all of her individual discoveries, her college roommate, Jean Haggas of Long Valley, N.J., said yesterday in a telephone interview.

Her intrepid attitude might have prolonged her life, her family said, because some of those cutting-edge treatments worked.

Mrs. Gelfand's energy was a staple of her life. Born in Elizabeth, N.J., she moved with her family to Vestal, N.Y., where she was known as ''the cheerleader" of Vestal High School, her husband said.

She was an accomplished high diver and a competitive gymnast. Living in upstate New York allowed Mrs. Gelfand to appreciate the outdoors, and she often went hiking. Her athleticism and appetite for activity were always with her, her husband said.

After graduating from high school in 1965, Mrs. Gelfand attended the Boston University School of Nursing. While there, she met her husband at a social mixer for nursing and medical students. They married in 1969.

Mrs. Gelfand received a bachelor of science degree in nursing in 1968 and became a registered nurse the same year. She worked in an intensive care unit at Boston Floating Hospital followed by a stint at Boston University Medical Center.

As a nurse, she learned firsthand the triumphs and tragedies of the medical industry as well as the fragility of human life, her husband said. In 1971, Mrs. Gelfand left nursing to care for her family.

Her commitment to her husband and three daughters was her top priority, Haggas said. All three daughters are ''an extension of her," Haggas said.

Her daughters all practiced with the Boston Ballet, which Mrs. Gelfand supported wholeheartedly. Two of her daughters were recognized internationally for their skill. Even though she was 25 years their senior, Mrs. Gelfand still practiced some of ballet's most strenuous moves.

In addition to her husband, Mrs. Gelfand leaves her daughters, Jennifer of Boston, Lauren of New York City, and Melissa N. Murphy of Washington, D.C.

A funeral service will be held today at noon at Mount Auburn Cemetery Chapel in Cambridge. 
© Copyright 2006 Globe Newspaper Company. 
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From Brian and Joanne Sorber April 20, 2006
Rich,
Joanne and I had been thinking about the reunion, and Janet had 
specifically come to mind. Following is a note we sent to her just a few 
weeks ago, not realizing that she was in such poor health. We did not 
receive a response; however, we hope she received the note.
Brian

Subject: Fond Recollections
Date: Tue, 07 Mar 2006  

To:     Janet Vullemeir/Gefland


Greetings, Janet! We were reminiscing about our recent VCHS reunion. I 
recall that while everyone seemed to genuinely enjoy themselves, you and 
your husband seemed to be having the best time of all. You danced to 
virtually every dance, and were repeatedly so complimentary to the band. 
You guys were simply a joy to be around!

We trust all is well with you and yours, and we look forward to seeing 
you next reunion!

Your pals
Brian & Joanne

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  Commentator:  Bakk             ,  Whistle          ,  Lana  5/16/2000

Janet Vullimier and I used to hang around with the same group when I was a Jr.  We first got to know each other in Jr High.  She was always very energetic

 and a good athlete.

  Commentator:  Fisher           ,  n/a               ,  Daniel  1/31/2001

memories: getting my ear frost bitten while walking Janet Vullemier home (Junior HS, before she dumped me)

  Commentator:  Friend           ,  Friend           ,  Barb  9/19/2001

Talking about who was the Geisha in Teahouse of the August Moon "Yes, Janet V. was the Geisha...  One of the Japanese wives of an IBM engineer in

Vestal or Endicott came to help with the production and costumes, and even loaned her kimono to Janet."

  Commentator:  Gelfand         ,  Vullemier        ,  Janet  5/29/2000

Great to hear from you. In the midst of moving a daughter to a new co-op apt. in NYC. and meeting contractors etc. I live in Cambridge, MA, so this is not

simple.

Will follow up with all my gory details and some other classmate details as soon as the dust settles. Promise not to delete!!

  Commentator:  Johnson(2)     ,  n/a               ,  William Michael (Mike)  9/19/2001

Janet was the female lead in the class play. She played a geisha, and my character was supposed to think she was a prostitute just because she was trying

to take my clothes off (to give me a bath, probably). Funny stuff, I'm sure.

We were rolling around on the stage, covered with makeup and dirt. Comedy is not pretty.

  Commentator:  Krestalude      ,  n/a               ,  James A.  5/20/2000

Janet Vullimier(sp)  was definitely an in crowd girl, but I knew her.

  Commentator:  Larnerd         ,  Loeffler         ,  Linda  1/8/2001

I was really excited to find this web site, just found it a couple of weeks ago. I keep in touch with Jackie (Alden) Taylor and have been in e-mail touch with

Janet (Vulliemier) Gelfand as well.

  Commentator:  McLean         ,  n/a               ,  Rich  5/20/2000

I always thought Janet was sweet... definitely an in-crowd chick and I was always looking in!

  Commentator:  Sorber          ,  Spohn           ,  Joanne  5/20/2000

That Janet V. was a spunky gal, wasn't she?

           

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