Janet Mary
Kidd (Caputo)
DOVER - Mrs. Janet Mary Kidd (Caputo) passed away peacefully on December 11, 2023, after a brief and courageous battle with cancer.
Janet was raised in the loving home of Joseph and Mary Caputo and although born in New Jersey, she proudly considered herself a life-long resident of Dover, Delaware. She was the second of five children: Rosemarie, Joe, Greg and Karen.
Janet was a joyful child. She greeted and served neighbors warmly in her Mom and Dad's delicatessen. In that store, and at the age of a little more than three, she met her very last stranger. From then on, everyone she met throughout her life was either extended family or a close friend. Janet's fondest memories were made in the Caputo's family home on Columbia Avenue, where one and all were welcome to enjoy a home-cooked Italian meal and share in the day's festivities.
Janet was a solid student, but she excelled in her extracurricular activities and creative pursuits. Her love of music and dance was matched by her talent. She earned a spot in Delaware's All-State chorus, made her own costumes in the school theater, and played the accordion. Her son would later find it amusing that she even twirled fire as a drum majorette.
As an adult, Janet focused her creative spirit into professional and philanthropic outlets. She was a licensed interior-designer and one of the designers asked to lend her talents to decorate the Governor's mansion for then-Governor, Mike Castle. She loved to help raise funding for local artisans, the Dover and Milford-area hospital and Dover's Modern Maturity Center, where she served on the board. At age of 70, she was honored to participate in Dancing with the Delaware Stars and leaped into earning 10s from some very impressed judges.
Above all her passions in life, however, stood her husband, Robert "Bob" Kidd. To all who knew Janet, her Bob was the love of her life and she was dedicated to him and together, they raised one child, Bobby. She took immense pride in, and was devoted to, being a wife and mom. She was a maestro at juggling the management of an orthodontic practice, real estate investments, Bobby's school and golf activities, and overall, made sure "her boys" lived their best lives. For her boys, she made what could have been a cold and isolating farmhouse she initially described as "out in the boonies" into an inviting home that served as a centerpiece for magical family holidays, gatherings of friends, and Bobby's adventures.
When Bob passed suddenly in March 2012, Janet was heartbroken to lose her soulmate. However, her focus on supporting Bobby and his wife Beth, and being "Mia" to her four grandchildren, Catherine, Robby, Johnny and Adam only grew stronger. Mia's love knew no bounds as she generously shared her time, passions, and wisdom as they navigated their own life's demands. In Janet's final months and with full awareness of her prognosis, she was surrounded by Bobby and his family. She remarked how blessed and fortunate her life was and how thankful she was to have her family and friends in her life. Janet lived and died with strength, gratitude and at peace. She leaves behind a beautiful legacy of deep love.
Donations in her memory can be made to The Joseph and Mary Caputo Alzheimer's Disease Research Fund, Kienle Center for Humanistic Medicine, Penn State College of Medicine, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033.
Bobby welcomes those wishing to celebrate her life to join him at her memorial service at 11:00 a.m., with a gathering of family and friends beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the Pippin Funeral Home in Wyoming, Delaware on January 6, 2024.