Janet Stewart Fyne Cochran

Cochran—Janet Stewart Fyne Cochran, 92, on September 7, 2023, at Friends Homes Guilford in Greensboro, N.C. Janet was born on June 28, 1931, the only child of Abraham Harry Fyne and Janet Stewart Fyne, in Henderson, N.C. She grew up in Sumter, S.C., and graduated from Edmunds High School in 1949. In 1953, she earned her bachelor’s degree from the Woman’s College of the University of North Carolina (now UNC Greensboro). She received her advanced degrees from UNCG: a master’s degree in 1966 and a doctorate of education in 1979.

Janet began her professional career in the early days of television at WBTW in Florence, S.C., where she met her future husband, James Beard “Jim” Cochran Jr. They married on August 4, 1956, at First Methodist Church in Sumter. They shared passions for jazz, tennis, travel, boating, and the beach.

Janet found purpose and meaning using her formidable intellect teaching English literature and composition to students at several colleges and universities in North Carolina. She eventually settled at Guilford College. Not content with earning accolades as a published poet and short story writer, she became the director of the Carson Scholars, which became the Native American Program, Guilford’s ambitious program to recruit and mentor Native American students. Her efforts were rewarded with numerous tribal honors from the Montana Nation. She was instrumental in building a library on the reservation, and had the distinct privilege of being invited to a sacred peyote ceremony.

Janet has been described as an elegant and stylish person and was equally generous and caring. Her compassion was felt not only by the people she befriended but also could be seen in her lifelong devotion to animal welfare. She said often that she was blessed to foster relationships with all types of people.

Janet also found time to rear two talented and successful artists, her daughter, Shannon, an actress living in Los Angeles, Calif., and her son, Stewart, a musician living in Austin, Tex. She doted on Tyler, her only grandchild.

By 1998, Janet found her way to active membership at New Garden Meeting in Greensboro. In addition to serving on the Meeting for Ministry and Counsel, she went on the Quaker Pilgrimage in 1998 led by David Bills to England, Scotland, and Wales. Her English literature background came in handy as she presented information to the group on the Brontës prior to visiting the Brontë Parsonage Museum. She was able to watch her daughter perform in a play while in London.

Janet was predeceased by her husband, James Beard “Jim” Cochran Jr., in 2018.

She is survived by two children, Shannon Elaine Cochran (Michael Canavan) and Stewart Owen Cochran (partner Leigh Tenhet); and one grandchild.