Janet Marie Coleman

January 26, 1968 – July 6, 2024 - Janet Marie Coleman was born in Medford, Oregon, on January 26, 1968, the first child of John and Donna Coleman. She attended schools in Hillsboro, Linwood (KS), and Newberg, graduating from Newberg High school in 1986.

In her youth, with her family, Janet sang for seven years with the Coleman Family Singers, performing and ministering in prisons, churches, banquets, summer camps, and the Oregon State Fair,

High School activities included choir accompanist, cheerleader, and May Day Queen. She won many honors, awards, and competitions with her talent at the piano, including first place in the State of Oregon high school piano competition.

Janet earned her B.A. degree from Willamette University and an M.A. in piano performance from the University of Oregon where she was named Outstanding Chamber Musician.

She traveled in Europe, Central America, and across the U.S. both in solo performances and as accompanist. Her talents contributed to top awards in accompanying the well-known and the unknown.

Janet was employed by the music departments of Linfield and Pacific Universities; Portland State Opera Workshop; The Portland Opera; Eugene Opera; Miss America 2002 (Katie Harmon); Astoria Music Festival; and occasional pianist in the Oregon Symphony. She was known in music circles for her amazing sight-reading ability.

Janet’s beauty was both inside and out. She had a compassion for the less-fortunate, and a beautiful ability to know just what to do or say in every social situation.

Her father, John Coleman, preceded her in death. She is survived by her husband Adam LaMotte; her mother, Donna Coleman Comfort; two sisters, Donelle (Dean) Clark, and Julie Coleman; several aunts and uncles, nephews, nieces, and cousins.

Memorial service will be held at Zion Lutheran Church (301 S. River Street) in Newberg, Oregon, on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 2:00 p.m.