The photo shows Janet seated on her commemorative bench at Wilkes Elementary School (recently renamed xalilc.)

Janet Lucille (Page) Droge passed away peacefully with family by her side on June 9th, 2025, in Poulsbo, WA. In her ninety years she touched countless lives with her passion for teaching, love of music and delightful sense of humor.

Janet was born in 1934 in Omaha, NE, the only child of Robert and Bernice Page. She spent her childhood in Omaha participating in music, theater and sports.

After graduating from Central High School in Omaha in 1952, Jan studied music and education, earning degrees from Stephens College (1954) and Northwestern University (1956). While attending Stephens, a college friend invited Jan on a blind date because she was tall—like her prospective date who was 6’6”. Jan hit it off instantly with Arnold Droge who was serving in the U.S. Army down the road at Fort Leonard Wood. Shortly after they met, Arnie was off to serve in Germany. “He met me and then abruptly left the country,” she joked. Their relationship blossomed, and in 1957, they were married. She followed in her mother’s footsteps and began teaching music.

With their characteristic ‘joie de vivre’,Arnie applied to graduate schools only inplaces they wanted to live, and they landed in Eugene, OR, where in 1964 they adopted their first son, Daniel. After moving to Minneapolis, MN, they completed their family by adopting Peter in 1969. After short stints in Edwardsville, IL, and Pierre, SD, the family settled down on Bainbridge Island, WA, in 1977, where she continued teaching first as a part-time substitute and then as the music teacher at Wilkes Elementary School.

In addition to her role as teacher, Jan’s musical talents were put to good use at Rolling Bay Presbyterian Church and Bainbridge Performing Arts, where she served as choir and music director, respectively, and sang in the church’s Joyful Praise group. Jan’s positive impact on the communities in which she lived did not end there. She was a member of the P.E.O. philanthropic women’s organization, volunteered for the charity organization Bucket Brigade, and was an active member of the Parent-Teacher Organization.

Jan and Arnie enjoyed the arts, travel, and spending time with friends and family. She was a great conversationalist, always taking a genuine interest in others. She’d often ask, “What have you been up to that’s legal and you can talk about?”

Jan spent the final chapter of her life at Liberty Shores Assisted Living and its adjacent Harbor House Memory Care, where she delighted the staff and fellow residents with her piano playing and kept them all smiling with her witty sense of humor. The family would like to thank the staff at Liberty Shores/Harbor House and Kaiser Hospice for the excellent care they provided.

She is survived by her sons Daniel (Doneva) and Peter (Elaine); grandchildren William (Victoria) and Destany; great grandchildren Kayli, Mia, Gabriella, Estella, Karabella and Jaxon; great great grandchild Kaliyah; nephews Mark Droge and David (Sandra) Droge; nieces Kathy (Don) Droge Barnhill and Martha (Michael) Droge MacIntyre; and several great nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting music education with a donation to www.savethemusic.org.

The family welcomes your comments at www.tuellmckee.com/obituaries.