Janet P. Loske

Janet P. Loske, 79, formerly of Newburyport, Massachusetts, died November 10, 2025, in Topeka, Kansas, with her family by her side.

Born on November 30, 1945, in Newburyport, Massachusetts, Janet was the daughter of the late William B. Coltin and Raelene (Eaton) Coltin. Janet graduated from Newburyport High School in 1963 and Salem State College with a degree in English in 1968. After graduating, she lived in Indiana, Wisconsin, and Kansas before returning to Newburyport. Janet remained friends with her former spouses Brien Murray and Ryk Loske.

Janet worked for many years as a librarian at the Hays (Kansas) Public Library and the Newburyport Public Library. With her soft voice and pleasant demeanor, she helped many patrons find the information they needed or a good book to read. Janet was a longtime member of Congregation Ahavas Achim. She volunteered for different community organizations including Brigham Manor and Anna Jacques Hospital.

She was predeceased by her brother David Coltin and her son-in-law Marcel Shoemaker.

Janet is survived by her daughters Megan Shoemaker, Bella Vista, Arkansas, and Julie (Brian) Nelson, Topeka, Kansas; grandchildren Brianna (Travis) Brandt, Brendan (Kennya) Arnold, Benjamin Nelson, and Ethan Nelson; great-grandchildren Maverick, Zeplin, Kingston, Koa, and Indie Brandt and Liam and Zoey Arnold; nephew Aaron Coltin, and niece Ashley Colder.

Janet cherished spending time with her grandchildren, and they fondly remember playing lively games of Go Fish and Bingo, having fun at Salisbury Beach, collecting sand dollars on Plum Island, and eating the French toast bagels from Abraham’s she lovingly brought with her on her visits to Kansas.

A confirmed Anglophile, she enjoyed reading British fiction and memoirs, watching Call the Midwife and All Creatures Great and Small, and visiting an exhibit dedicated to Princess Diana. In a nod to her affection for all things British, special birthday teas came complete with scones and clotted cream.

In her beloved Newburyport, Janet enjoyed taking brisk, early-morning walks on the rail trail, chatting with friends on the boardwalk, and eating gelato on “her” bench at Patrick Tracy Square. Her father, an editor of the Newburyport Daily News, passed down to her his love of Newburyport and knowledge of the city’s history. Bill and Raelene were well-loved members of the Newburyport community. The same can be said of Janet. She was a dear friend to many and will be missed.

Interment will take place at Long Hill Cemetery, Salisbury. At Janet’s request, no services are planned. Arrangements were made by Elliott, Woodworth & Rogers Family Funeral Home, 35 Green Street, Newburyport, MA 01950.