Janet Leigh (Bomar) Rush died peacefully at home on Friday, June 1, 2007, surrounded by her family.

Born October 1, 1951, in Altavista, Virginia, Janet was raised in and never strayed far from Albemarle County. Since childhood, she was an avid pleasure rider and an excellent horsewoman. She was well known as a friend and champion of all small animals, raising many abandoned wild animals during her childhood.

Janet was an excellent gardener, horticulturalist, and a multi-year winner of the prestigious "Golden Trowel Award". She enjoyed being active in community organizations, serving as President of the Stone-Robinson P.T.O., a founder of East Rivanna Boy Scout Troop 241, and Secretary of the NBHW of Cismont.

Janet loved music and dancing, vintage clothes and opening her home for wonderful parties. She was an accomplished poet, and artist, researching and completing Coats of Arms for many local families, and was a founding member of the Keswick Area Arts Association. She was also the principal organizer and the virtuoso Sleigh Bell Ringer of the Campbell/Cismont Christmas Caroling Group since 1989.

She was the treasured wife of Edward T. Rush Jr., cherished mother of Daniel and Nara Brigid and beloved daughter of Ernest (Blue) and Joan Bomar of Cismont.

Janet fought breast cancer for eight years with determination and grace. Her family and friends drew from her great strength and provided her with loving support. Dr. Chris Zazakos and the staff of the HOPE Center at Martha Jefferson Hospital provided the best care possible and their efforts are much appreciated.

Among those who will miss Janet are her two sisters, Jeanne Sims of Sevierville, Tennessee, and Mary Ritter of Deputy, Indiana; three sisters-in-law; five brothers-in -law; four nephews; a niece; her horse, Ginger, of Cloverfields; her loyal beagle, Peachy; and a wide circle of long-time friends in Cismont, Keswick, and across the country.

Her family appreciates the support that the community has shown and is grateful for the wonderful services of Hospice of the Piedmont.

Donations may be made to Hospice of the Piedmont, 2200 Old Ivy Road, Suite 2, Charlottesville, VA 22902, or to the HOPE Center at Martha Jefferson Hospital, 459 Locust Avenue, Charlottesville, VA 22902.

A celebration of Janet's life will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 5, 2007, at Grace Episcopal Church of Keswick.

The family will receive friends from 6:30 until 8 p.m. Monday, June 4, 2007, at Hill and Wood Funeral Home, First and Market Street, Charlottesville, Virginia.

Friends may sign the guestbook at www.hillandwood.com.