Janet Marsh Hunt of Newtown, Pa., formerly of Lambertville, N.J., died on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, at her home, with her children nearby. She was 95 years old.
Born in Montclair, N.J., Janet was raised in Essex Fells, in a family that treasured the arts. There was always music in the home. Janet was a gifted pianist and her brother Peter became a professional violinist and teacher. After graduation from Montclair High School, Janet attended the Arts Student League in New York City and refined her skills at painting and drawing. One of her early artistic inspirations was her uncle, Reginald Marsh, a noted artist who spent much time with Janet and her family. Janet was also gifted at print making, especially on linoleum block. The Marsh family moved to Pittstown, N.J., in 1946. Janet went to work at the young architecture firm of Hunt and Gregory in 1951. There she met William M. Hunt. Janet and Bill were married on May 3, 1952. They soon started their family, eventually raising three children Anne, Thomas and Peter.
As her children grew up, Janet returned to the work force as a salesperson at Farley’s Bookshop in New Hope. She went on to earn her real estate license and became a Realtor with the Northridge Agency in Stockton. But the art world continued to call to Janet and she joined Jim Bulger as the managing partner at the recently established Coryell Gallery in Lambertville. Under Janet’s guidance, the gallery became a center for local artists to display and sell their work. She encouraged young artists in their development and offered many of them the first opportunity to show their work professionally. An opening at the Coryell Gallery was always a welcoming and memorable event. She organized and hosted the Lambertville Historical Society’s annual juried art show at the gallery. She later moved the show to artist Bob Beck’s gallery in Lambertville.
Janet’s commitment to the visual arts in the Lambertville-New Hope area extended beyond the Coryell Gallery. She served on the committee for the annual juried art show at the Phillips’ Mill Community Association, hanging shows for over 25 years. She was an active member of the Lambertville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Kalmia Club. She served on the Hunterdon County Cultural and Heritage Commission for many years. Janet was a member and past president of the Delaware Valley Music Club, fostering young talented musicians and hosting concerts in her home.
Janet was the wife of the late William M. Hunt, the daughter of the late James R. and Anne Steele Marsh; the sister of the late Reginald and Peter Marsh and the sister-in-law of the late Burrowes Hunt and Winifred Hunt. Janet is survived by her children Anne Hunt White and her husband Denis of Corvallis, Ore.; Thomas Hunt and his wife Kathrine of Stockton, N.J., and Peter Hunt of Wrightstown, Pa.; treasured friend Barbara G. Cash of Wrightstown; her grandchildren Jess White and her partner Chris Still of Corvallis and their daughter Edie Still; Dorothy White and her partner Bret Sherman of Albany, Ore.; Leah Hunt and James Hunt of Stockton; her nephew Dana Marsh; her niece Janet Marsh Demeter and her husband Barry Demeter and their daughter Sophie; her niece Joan Hunt Robinson; her many friends and associates and the hundreds of artists who flourished under Janet’s encouragement and guidance.
Relatives and friends are invited to visitation on Saturday, December 9, 2023 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Van Horn-McDonough Funeral Home, 21 York Street, Lambertville, NJ 08530.
Interment will be private.
Donations in Janet’s memory may be made to the Greater Lambertville Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 210, Lambertville, NJ 08530. Donations will be dedicated to the Annual Shad Festival Poster Contest Scholarship.
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