Janet Ruth Brown Hyde

Janet was the second child of William McKinney Brown and Esther Margaret Drew Brown Jones Dobbins of Richmond, Va. Her mother used to say she was so small “you used to have to shake the sheets to find her.” She attended John Marshall High School in Richmond, Va., where she was a straight A student and a member of most of the high school clubs. After graduation she went to Radiology School to become an x-ray technician. She left that career to raise her family and joined Swarthmore United Methodist Church about 1958 when she moved to Brookhaven, Pa. Music was a constant in her life. As a child she sang and played the piano and the accordion. A strong alto, she was a church soloist in her youth. She was a choir member all her church-going years.

In 1953 she met Gilbert Frederick Hyde in high school and set her cap for him. They married in 1957 and had four children who survive her: Norman Lee Hyde (Sheila), James Randall Hyde (Frances), David Keith Hyde (Mara) and Carolyn Ruth Hyde Warfel (Paul). Gilbert Hyde passed away in 2015. Also surviving are grandchildren Jamie Warfel (Bill Brooks), along with great-grandchildren and Lucas Bryant, Elle Brooks, and Beckham Brooks; Rebecca Warfel; Benjamin Hyde; Emily Hyde; Matthew Hyde; Melissa Hyde and Joshua Hyde.

After she and Gilbert divorced in 1970 they both continued to attend and worship at Swarthmore UMC, in part to give their children a shared family life. Later in life she established and ran a child daycare business. Family was always the most important thing in her life, and Janet made sure her children met all their extended family relatives during annual trips to Richmond and New York state.

Janet spent the majority of her life caring for others and always put herself second to anyone in need. She was the kindest yet toughest person. She gave her time and finances to help people who suffered with addiction or were just struggling with hard times. Janet was in a 30-year relationship with Ralph Delorenzo. In her later years she was assisted by family friend Edward Parent, who also attended Swarthmore UMC. Like a hummingbird she stayed in constant motion, until a severe stroke crippled her in Sept. 2017. After rehabilitation she moved to Chestnut Ridge Wallingford and stayed busy taking pictures with her friends, winning at bingo and coloring pictures for herself and family members. She suffered another setback early in February 2024 and passed away.

Funeral arrangements by Bateman-Allen Funeral Home, Brookhaven, Pa. A memorial service will be held at Swarthmore United Methodist Church at 11 a.m. on Sat. March 9, reception to follow.

If you would like to make a Memorial Donation in Janet’s Honor,  please send contributions to the Swarthmore U.M.C. Music Ministry. Swarthmore United Methodist Church, 129 Park Avenue, Swarthmore PA 19081 (write Hyde-Music Ministry Memorial in the memo line.) or Click on this Paypal link to donate Remember to Add in the comment Hyde-Music Ministry Memorial.