Janet M. (Birsner) Stibor

Janet M. (Birsner) Stibor

January 27, 1946-November 18, 2023

Janet went to her heavenly Father on November 18, 2023. She was preceded in death by parents. Frank and Mary Birsner; brother, Micheal Birsner. She is survived by brother and sister-in-law, John and Jan Birsner; sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Reggie Graue; sister and brother-in-law, Rebecca and Martin Reynolds; son, William Guilfoyle; daughter and son-in-law, Mary “Missa” and Bob Waldo; son and daughter-in-law, Todd and Stephanie Stibor; grandchildren: Joseph Waldo, Jacob Waldo, Emma Waldo, Brennen Lipson and Sara Lipson, William Stibor, Jack Stibor, and Jonathan Stibor; uncle, James Paul Diekemper, and Robert and Arlene Diekemper; numerous cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends.

Janet Mary Birsner Stibor was born January 27, 1946, in Saint Louis, MO, to parents, Frank H. Birsner and Mary Diekemper Birsner. Her family moved to Lockwood, MO, in 1947 and then to Carthage, MO, in 1948, where her father purchased a medical practice. Janet went to Mark Twain Grade School in Carthage where she was on the Honor Roll; then McAuley High School in Joplin, MO, where she was very active in class social functions such as Class Secretary, Pep Club, Cheer Leader Captain, Homecoming Attendant, Chorus, Drum & Bugle Corps, Color Guard and Honor Roll (all four years) graduating in 1964. Following graduation from high school, Janet entered as a Postulant into the Sisters of Mercy in September 8, 1964, until June 9, 1965. She continued her education at Creighton University until her marriage to Thomas Guilfoyle on June 24, 1967, through 1996. Janet continued her education receiving a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Nebraska Omaha in 1982. Janet became a Mental Health practitioner in private practice for 27 years (1982-2009). She continually educated herself with extensive training in Adlerian and Object Relations Therapy and was a long-time member of Nebraska Society of Adlerian Psychology. She volunteered for Parents United working with families experiencing abuse. Later in her practice, she was an Employee Assistance Contractor for the US Postal Service, Omaha branch.

On October 11, 2008, Janet married Richard Stibor, the love of her life. Together they traveled the world and enjoyed many friends. Janet also enjoyed special yearly weekends with her sisters, aka “The Twisted Sisters” according to their brother. Janet retired in March, 2009, but needed to continue helping people; so she joined the Ignatian Volunteer Corps (IVC), Omaha Region in September, 2011 till December, 2022. As an IVC Volunteer, Janet helped develop and establish the Raising Your Grandchildren (RYG) Program at Nebraska Children’s Home Society. The RYG Program offered 6-week opportunity for grandparents and other kin to share their blessings and losses and to gain parenting skills, resources, and strengths. During 2013 to 2016, Janet was co-leader for numerous 6-week RYG groups. Her valuable contributions contributed to the development of a RYG manual that is available to kinship programs throughout the state. The RYG Program received The KIM Foundation Award (KIM is a non-profit dedicated to increased awareness around mental health and suicide prevention).

KIM Foundation Award

VISITATION: Tuesday, November 28, 2023, 5:00 to  7:00 p.m., St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, 1920 N. 102nd St., followed by a VIGIL SERVICE at 7:00 p.m. MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Wednesday, November 29, 2023, 10:30 a.m., at the church. INTERMENT: Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum II, 2:30 p.m. Memorials are suggested to Methodist Hospital Foundation. To view live broadcasts of the vigil service and Mass, please visit www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “Live Cast” button at the top of the home page.