Janet Cartwright Moran, 89, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on February 25, 2025. Janet was born and raised in a small farming community in New Castle, Indiana, and arrived in Northwest Indiana fresh out of journalism school at Franklin College to start as a reporter for the then Hammond Times. Later, Janet followed her dream of living and working in Chicago and became the society reporter for the Chicago Daily News.

Janet married the love of her life, William (Bill) Moran, and together they raised their four daughters in Hammond. Janet was a devoted wife and mother and was happiest surrounded by her family, a happiness exponentially increased when she became a grandmother.

Always guided by a deep belief in civic engagement, Janet was committed to bettering the lives of those who lived in Northwest Indiana. She was the first woman elected to the Hammond City Council where she was instrumental in the development of the Hammond Marina and laid the groundwork for what has become the soon-to-be opened South Shore train line operating in the West Lake Corridor. After serving three terms in office, Janet continued her work for Hammond as a founder of the Towle Theater and other civic projects. She also returned to her journalistic roots by writing a weekly column for The Northwest Indiana Times, while also obtaining her Master’s Degree in English Literature from Purdue University Northwest. She was selected to participate in U.S. Senator Richard G. Lugar’s Excellence in Public Service Series, a political leadership forum. Janet was a longtime volunteer for The Carmelite Guild of Hammond as well as the Service League of Hammond. She was a former member of the Hammond YWCA Board of Directors, and president of the St. Margaret Hospital Junior Association. In more recent years, Janet sat on the boards of the Indiana Historical Society, the Legacy Foundation, the Hammond Public Library, the Towle Theater, and Community Services of Northwest Indiana.

A friend to so many, Janet will be remembered for her genuine care and interest in others, her love of conversation, her warmth, sharp wit, and civic vision. Janet was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Bill; her parents Eugene and Mae Emma Cartwright, her sister June (Roscoe) Bell, brother Gene Allen (Mary Lou) Cartwright, and nephews Tom and Dan Bell, and Andy Cartwright. She is survived by loving daughters Susan (Michael) Zajakowski, Jennifer Moran, Molly (Mark) Synnes, and Mariah Moran, cherished grandchildren Andrew, Emma and Amelia Zajakowski, and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will take place on Sunday, March 2, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Kish Funeral Home, 10000 Calumet Avenue, Munster, IN and on Monday, March 3, at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Knock Parish (Jesus, Shepherd of Souls)  501 163rd Street, Calumet City, IL with Funeral Mass beginning at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in Janet’s name may be made to Hospice of the Calumet Area or Community Services of Northwest Indiana.

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