Janet Lynne Bono, 67, passed away on September 9, 2026, in New Port Richey, Florida. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister, Janet will be remembered for her kindness, her deep faith, and above all, the love she had for her family. Her kindness could be seen throughout her life, both in the love she gave her family and in the way she treated others.
Janet grew up in Michigan and was the mother of three children, William, Nicole, and Stephanie, a proud grandmother of thirteen, and a great-grandmother of three. She was happiest when everyone was together. Whenever the family managed to gather in one place, she wanted a picture to remember it by. But once the picture was taken, Janet was content simply being there, surrounded by the people she loved and enjoying the time they had together.
Janet was an incredibly kind person, and her career in social work was a reflection of how deeply she cared about others. Helping people was never just a job to her. It was simply part of who she was. She genuinely cared about people, including those she didn’t know, and wanted to help whenever she could.
Her faith was also central to her life. She was active in her church, attended Bible study, participated in mission work, and helped with efforts to feed people in need. When her health began keeping her from those things, she truly missed them. Even from the time she was first diagnosed with cancer, Janet spoke openly about putting her faith in God and would often say that “God has a plan.” It was more than something she said. She tried to live her faith through the way she treated people and the way she cared for them.
One of the things her family will remember most about Janet is her smile. She smiled often, and even as her illness made everyday life increasingly difficult and frustrating, that never completely changed. Even through some of the hardest moments, she could still smile.
Janet was someone her family could always depend on. She was the person to call when something went wrong, always ready to listen, offer support, and be there for the people she loved.
Janet was preceded in death by her parents, Phyllis and Gerald Stersic. She is survived by her husband, Edward Telles; her children, William, Nicole, and Stephanie; thirteen grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and her siblings, Sue Odden (Jeff), Gary Stersic, and Jim George (Marie).
A memorial service celebrating Janet’s life will be held on October 10, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at Hope United Methodist Church in New Port Richey, Florida.
There are a lot of things Janet’s family will miss about her, but perhaps most of all, they will miss simply having her there. They will miss her support, her faith, the way she cared about people, the way she loved having her family together, and that familiar smile. She loved her family deeply, and they loved her just as deeply. She will be missed more than words can say.
Hope United Methodist Church
Debbie Mott-Lundgren
October 10, 2026, 8:10 pm
In Loving Memory of Janet: My Bestie and Sister in Faith
Janet wasn’t just my bestie; she was a bestie to so many. She had a special gift for bringing people together, building relationships, sharing her faith, and making life more meaningful. Her friendship was a blessing, and her influence reached far beyond the two of us.
Janet was my Sister in Faith.
We shared so many meaningful experiences through our faith, including meetings for those who were grieving, mission work, Bible studies, and Christian music concerts. She had a heart for people and wanted everyone to feel included and loved.
One of the things I will always treasure was her desire to make Thanksgiving special for everyone, whether they had family to celebrate with or not. Janet understood that sometimes family is the community we build and the people God places in our lives.
Janet was an encourager.
She encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone and grow in my faith. She inspired me to participate in Bible studies, speak at Women’s Day of Faith, and reach out to neighbors of different faiths to build relationships with them.
She helped me see possibilities I might not have seen on my own. That is one of the beautiful gifts of a true friend: she believes in you, encourages you, and helps you become the person God is calling you to be.
We also shared the same political values, which deepened our relationship. It was another way we connected through our beliefs and our hopes for the world around us.
Janet was adventurous!
Believe it or not, she even got me into a hot-air balloon! I never imagined I would do something like that, but Janet had a way of making you willing to try something new. She brought adventure into my life, along with memories I will never forget.
Janet loved connecting with people.
She enjoyed sitting in restaurants where we could actually hear each other talk! Those conversations were important to her. She loved sharing stories, listening, laughing, and spending time with people. It was never just about where we were; it was about the connections we made.
And Janet absolutely loved to party!
From Tea Parties to Three Kings Day to Halloween, she found reasons to celebrate and bring people together. She made ordinary days special and created traditions that gave us wonderful memories.
She even convinced Larry and me to dress up for Halloween, something we hadn’t done in decades! That was Janet—she could get you to do things you never thought you would do, all in the name of fun, friendship, and making memories.
Janet was also a movie buff who enjoyed a good love story. I think that says something about her heart. She appreciated stories about love, relationships, and the connections that make life beautiful.
When I think about Janet, I think about faith, friendship, encouragement, adventure, laughter, and love. I think about all the people she brought together and all the lives she touched.
I will miss our conversations, our shared experiences, our celebrations, and the special bond we had as besties. But I will always be grateful for the memories we created and the ways she helped me grow.
Janet was so much more than my best friend. She was my Sister in Faith, my encourager, my fellow adventurer, and someone who made life richer simply by being in it.
Thank you, Janet, for being you. Thank you for your friendship, your faith, your laughter, and your love. Your life made a difference, and your memory will continue to live in the hearts of all those who were blessed to know you.
Until we meet again, my dear bestie. ❤️