Janet Marie Lee Dow

Janet Marie Lee Dow of Kingston, New York passed away peacefully at home on September 8, 2026 at the age of 72. Janet was born on October 1, 1953 to Robert Lee and Vivian Hartter Lee in Mishawaka, Indiana and was the oldest of three children. She was a graduate of John Adams High School, class of 1971 and a student of the Fine Arts Department at Indiana University, South Bend. Janet was first and foremost a devoted and caring mother to her three children. She was also a talented and successful artist, having displayed an enjoyment and affinity for drawing and painting since childhood. Her artwork was shown at galleries in Indiana, Texas, Nevis, West Indies, Pennsylvania, and most recently New York, where she lived for the past twenty-five years. She was an active member of the local art community and was involved with organizations such as Jane Street Gallery, Woodstock Artists Association and Museum, Arts Society of Kingston, Unison Arts, and Woodstock School of Art. Janet returned to work later in life as a teacher’s aide and proudly worked as a library assistant for many years before retirement. She loved cooking, nature, the arts, gardening, books, and spending time with her loved ones and beloved pets, Scout and Mitzi. Janet was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Lee and Vivian Lee Harwood, stepfather Robert Harwood, partner Sterling Warren Hurley, and aunt Diane Pearl Talboom. She is survived by her children Morgan Dow, Casey Dow, and Jessica Dow, sisters Cynthia Lee-Sullivan and Connie Lee Swain, nieces, nephews, and cousins, as well as many dear friends. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, The ASPCA, The Alzheimer's Association, and Hudson Valley Hospice. A private funeral service will be held on September 19, 2026 and a memorial service that is open to the public will be announced at a later date.