Janet L. Kurtz

Janet Lynch Kurtz passed away on Friday, July 4th, 2025, after a sudden and brief illness. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Tim Kurtz, and their daughters Casey and Blair Kurtz. She leaves behind two sons-in-law, Brian Seeling and Tom Hoesch and five grandchildren: Delaney, Devlin and Finley Hoesch and Bryn and Beckett Seeling. She is also survived by her beloved cousin, Betsy Ahlborn, her husband Chuck Ahlborn, and their families.  Additionally, Jan leaves behind many close lifelong friends that she considered family. She is preceded in death by her parents John E. and Laverne R. Lynch. 

To know Jan was to love her. She was an incredibly vibrant person with an iron will, a sharp intellect, and an irreverent sense of humor. She could always be counted on for engaging company and conversation. Those who emailed with or spoke to Jan on the phone are familiar with her usual salutation of “Greetings Earthling!” 

Jan offered great advice and voiced her opinion easily (solicited and often unsolicited). She was a voracious reader and read multiple books a week. She enjoyed a cold drink (Dewars and soda), a delicious meal, and a hearty laugh. She could often be counted on to request her favorite late-night song, La Bamba.

Jan lived life with love and humor. She was the first person to bring a meal, lend a hand, or offer a ride when anyone needed help. Those in her life have all enjoyed her famous spaghetti and meatballs or her tuna sandwiches.  She had an uncanny ability to make you laugh even through tears, and you knew love and warmth if you knew Jan.

Throughout her life, Jan was an advocate to animals and a champion to all rescue dogs. There was a leash in her car at all times in case a stray dog crossed her path, and she was an easy target when any dog needed a home.  The Kurtz household was always filled with multiple dogs that were named in alphabetical order until there were more dogs than letters.

Per Jan’s wishes, there will not be a viewing or a funeral. A memorial mass will be celebrated on October 10th, 2025 at 10am at St. Michael the Archangel Parish, St. Bernard Church,  311 Washington Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15216. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Humane Animal Rescue on the North Side. 

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