Janet was born on July 3, 1941, in Boise, Idaho, growing up in Boise’s North End with her parents and older brother. She attended Washington Elementary School, North Junior High, and graduated from Boise High School in 1959. Around the age of eight, her parents introduced the family to skiing at Bogus Basin. JJ was a natural from the very beginning. Ski racing quickly became her passion, competing and winning races all over the western United States. She remained a lifelong athlete and fierce competitor right up until her passing.

After high school, she enrolled at Western Washington University, probably more for skiing than school. After two years, she decided to take a sabbatical and traveled to Europe by herself — quite a feat for a young single woman in the early 1960s. She stayed with a German family in Garmisch and enjoyed all the skiing the Alps had to offer. Upon returning to the United States, she spent a winter in Sun Valley, skiing by day and working in the evenings. After eventually returning to Boise, she worked retail downtown while figuring out her next great adventure.

In August of 1963, she went to Sun Valley for Wagon Days where a newly minted University of Idaho graduate, Larry Jeffries, caught her eye. They were already familiar with each other from their school days, but this time sparks flew. Four months later, they were married on December 31, 1963.

Their great adventure together started in Fort Rucker, Alabama, where Larry was training to fly helicopters for the U.S. Army. JJ had hoped they would be stationed in Europe, but the Vietnam War changed those plans. While living in Fort Rucker, they welcomed their first child, Jay. Larry was sent to Vietnam in 1965, and JJ moved back to Boise. After Larry returned home in 1966, they moved to Moscow while he completed his master’s degree in accounting at the University of Idaho. During that time, JJ worked as a telephone operator — a busy job in a college town. After two years, they returned to Boise where they welcomed two more children, Matt and Jennifer.

As the kids began elementary school, JJ went to work for then-U.S. Representative Steve Symms. She remained with Steve through his years in both the U.S. House and Senate, retiring in 1993 when he left office. Timing was perfect, and Janet retired as well.

Sun Valley always held a special place in JJ and Larry’s hearts. In 1982, they purchased two acres in Elkhorn and built a second home there — quite a step up from the beloved “Cabin” at Easley’s north of Ketchum. For more than 30 years, the home became a cherished gathering place for children, grandchildren, family, and friends. The memories created there will forever be treasured.

JJ and Larry were fortunate to travel throughout Europe during retirement, often on bicycle tours. Mom always needed to be moving, and skiing and biking were perfect outlets for her adventurous spirit. Her laugh could light up a room, and she was always dressed to the nines no matter the occasion. She also never missed a Sunday crossword puzzle.

If you knew our mom, please raise a glass of wine in her honor. She was truly one of a kind. She will be deeply missed but forever in our hearts.

Please join us for an open-house Celebration of Janet’s life on June 9, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Louie's Pizza & Italian Restaurant on Fairview in Meridian. We invite family and friends to come and go throughout the afternoon while sharing stories, laughter, and memories of JJ.

Janet was preceded in death by her parents, Spencer and Lucille Barrett, and her brother, Ken Barrett. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Larry; sons Jay (Stephanie) and Matt (Rebecca); daughter Jennifer (Tom); grandchildren Parker, Allison, Slayter, Teague, Brynn, Trevor, and Reagan; and great-grandchildren Sloane and Chase.