Janet Kathryn (Mallon) Schwahn

Was reunited in Heaven with her husband, Albert, on February 9, 2021 at the age of 88. Loving mom of Albert (Susan) and Mary Beth (Jerry) Mazur. Adored grandma of Thomas Mazur and Daniel Mazur. Caring sister of John (Barbara) Mallon and the late James H. (Joyce) Mallon. Dearest godmother of James H. Mallon III, Sr. Patricia Johnson SJV and Karen (nee Mallon) Kenwood. Beloved aunt of 19 nieces and nephews. Janet will be greatly missed by other relatives and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents J. Howard Mallon and Kathryn (Carney) Mallon, and her sister Dorothy (the late Earl) Johnson.

Janet lived a courageous and purposeful life guided by four principles: Faith, Family, Fellowship and Service to Others. Janet’s family legacy at Marquette set the future for her — she felt a clear connection to her Jesuit uncle, Rev. Charles E. Mallon, S.J., and the principles he held. “I always wanted to do some kind of work that enabled me to help someone,” she says. Throughout her life, Janet found several ways to do so.

A leader throughout her life started in high school: At Holy Angels Academy, Janet was freshman class President, at Marquette University, elected Vice President to the junior/senior co-ed board and Chair of the Holly Ball her senior year.

After earning her bachelor’s degree in speech, she worked as a speech therapist in Crystal Lake, Ill., and Milwaukee Public Schools until she met her husband, Al Schwahn (Marquette, Bus Ad ’50). Together, they started a family and raised their two children. After the untimely death of her husband in 1971, she and her children moved back to the Milwaukee area (Brookfield) from Arlington Heights, IL to be nearer to friends and family. She spent one summer advancing her post-graduate education in Speech Pathology then subsequently took a job in special education as a Speech Pathologist for Racine County Schools in Burlington, Wis., and commuted from Brookfield for the next 28 years.

Janet was a committed member of the Association of Marquette University Women board and served as President in 1964–65. Under her leadership, the Mary Neville Bielefeld Award was created to honor distinguished Marquette alumnae – an award she was a recipient of in 2012.

Janet prepared monthly meals for the underprivileged and knitted shawls for the sick at St. John Vianney Parish in Brookfield WI. She also has served on several reunion committees for both alma maters.

Janet relished in the rich relationships she maintained with her children, relatives and very close friends. Through her family, the legacy of service and leadership endures.

She will be missed.

A Visitation will be held on Wednesday March 17, 2021 at St. John Vianney Catholic Parish, 1755 N Calhoun Rd, Brookfield, WI 53045, from 12 NOON until the time of Memorial Mass at 1:00 PM. Janet’s Mass will be available to Livestream on March 17th at 1:00PM. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the GiveMarquette.edu Scholarship Fund would be greatly appreciated by the family.

Please click here to view Janet's Funeral Mass on Wednesday, March 17th, 2021 at 1:00PM CST. 

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