Janet Mary Rayl, age 68 passed away peacefully June 12, 2026 at University Place, Washington. She succumbed to cancer that she accepted with grace, good humor, and simple faith.

Janet was born in Bremerton Wa May 13th, 1958, the fourth daughter of Clifford and Shirley Rayl. She grew up in Port Orchard and attended South Kitsap High School. After school she went on to work in the marine processing and shipping industry.

From an early age, Janet showed an extraordinary intellect and awareness that was gifted. She loved learning and became well versed in every subject she took an interest in. Her love of the outdoors and nature began at an early age and she taught her sisters the flora and fauna of the fields and woods they roamed in. In school she was a dedicated library aide and took up playing the violin while honing her writing skills and creative thinking. Throughout her early schooling, educators marveled at her intellect and many nurtured her love of learning. As a teen editor and contributor to the High School periodical, “Parallax”, her writing skills were enjoyed by the school and gave a glimpse of her talent. Her sharp intellect was used effectively in high school debate where she excelled at oral arguments and extemporaneous speaking, setting a high standard for fellow debaters.

While in High School, Janet took a summer job working for DomSea fish farms in Manchester WA. Her acquired knowledge and love of marine life and the ecosystem of the Puget Sound allowed her to pursue work after high school in the marine industry. Her original ambition was to get a degree in Marine Biology and have a career in that field but work first to save the money needed for her education.

Janet’s first post-high school job was working on the seafood processing ships in Alaska. Her skills, hard work, and pursuit of training promoted her beyond the general labor of processing. She began to work and train in the function of the ships she was assigned to and settled on ocean navigation as her preferred area. Her skills became evident and she moved to working on large oil tankers where she was the ship’s navigator for a large oil company. Although illness made her unable to pursue her original goals, Janet’s love of the sea and nature remained.

Janet lived near family both in Port Orchard and Bremerton and then spent several years residing in Port Townsend. There she was a community fixture at her local pharmacy’s lunch counter. Janet continued to pursue her art and was a published poet. She was known for her generosity and kindness towards others. Her faith was sure as she continued in her pursuit of knowledge and understanding in both God and her world.

Janet’s family is grateful for the care of so many who helped look after her. The Port Townsend community and local Law enforcement during her time living there were exceptional. In her remaining years, the team at Agility Health and Rehabilitation were wonderful in their compassion and care. Janet was a great favorite of her caregivers, always cheerful, kind, and eager to help fellow residents. A heartfelt “thank you” also to Marlene Rayl, who was a dedicated guardian of Janet’s well-being until her passing. Janet is survived by her seven sisters, Christine Rayl, Jeanne Cronce, Donna Hanenburg, Patricia Thomas, Carolyn Schuster, Bonnie Debord, and Marlene Rayl, plus countless nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews. 

A memorial service will be held for Janet July 18th, 11:00am at Rill Chapel in Port Orchard