Janet Lancaster

Janet Lancaster moved from Colonial Heights, Virginia, where she graduated from high school in 1961, to Lynchburg to study nursing at the then Virginia Baptist School of Nursing.   Three years later, she earned the designation of Registered Nurse (RN) and remained at Virginia Baptist Hospital for five more years working in the operating room.   Gaining an interest in the field of anesthesiology she enrolled at Duke University in 1969, in the School of Anesthesiology and in 1972 became a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).

After two years as a member of the staff at Duke University Hospital Medical Center, Janet returned to Lynchburg in 1974, and for the next 28 years served at both hospitals as a nurse anesthetist.  She retired in 2002, but continued on a part-time basis for two years assisting with medical coding.   Active as a volunteer, Janet has provided services to the Blue Ridge Pregnancy Center, the Free Clinic of Central Virginia, and to her church, Rivermont Evangelical Presbyterian Church, where for the past three years she has served as an assistant to the church’s Parish Nurse.

In the 1990s, Janet became interested in painting and, under the guidance of instructors such as Karen Bowden and Solly Blank, continues to paint today, especially enjoying the medium of watercolor.  The move to Westminster Canterbury restricts her gardening opportunities (the real love is mowing grass), but will not interfere with walking as a means of exercising and being outdoors.  She anticipates that from investigating the various activities and programs offered at WC, she will add to her list of things to do as she enjoys Life Refreshed.