Janet Eleanor Carpenter '75

Janet Eleanor Carpenter died May 18, 2013. Janet was born on Feb. 9, 1953, in Detroit, Mich. to Charles Congden and Mary Frances Pitynski Carpenter, but moved to Norman at the age of 6 weeks and spent the rest of her life here. She was an Oklahoma Sooner to the core.Janet was diagnosed as a juvenile (Type I) diabetic at the age of 9 and battled many obstacles stemming from that disease for the remainder of her life, including blindness, a kidney transplant, and too many hospital visits and stays for one lifetime.

Despite these significant health problems Janet maintained an incredibly positive attitude and a fiercely independent spirit.

She graduated from University High School in 1971 and attended Grinnell College.

After losing her sight at the age of 20, she went on to earn a bachelor's and master's degree in Anthropology from OU and even learned to ski.