STOUGHTON - Janet Lee Pratt Wiley of Indian Beach, N.C., passed away on July 19, 2026, surrounded in love. She left this Earth as she lived: With stubbornness and strength, she fought death long enough for her husband and daughters to be next to her. With determination and resilience, she found the ability to speak final words of humor, comfort, and love. With courage and foresight, she made her wishes clear. With grace and dignity, she exited this world.

For 88 years, Jan left a trail of beauty and kindness in her wake. As a gardener, she turned ordinary patches of dirt into spectacular displays of color and harvest. As a painter and artist, she brought Mother Nature’s beauty to life in our homes. As a wife, she offered unconditional support of her husband’s professional development, companionship, and love for over 66 years. As a mother, she nurtured her daughters physically and emotionally with her 24/7 presence. To her beloved pets (especially her feral cats), she provided safety and compassion, tucking them into their beds each night. To her communities, she gave her time freely by volunteering at public schools, voting polls, U.S. Navy Relief Services, and churches. To her family, friends, neighbors, and strangers, she offered a patient ear, words of comfort, and selfless helping hands while never expecting anything in return. She left this world a kinder, more beautiful place.

Jan was born May 7, 1938, and grew up in Raleigh, N.C. She holds a Master of Fine Arts from UNC-G and taught in public schools in New York and North Carolina and at SUNY Potsdam. She was invited to exhibit her watercolor and oil paintings at numerous public sites over the years.

She is survived by her husband, Albert Wiley Jr., M.D., Ph.D.; four daughters, Allison Fasking, Susan Sutton, Catherine Huckaby, and Heather Fornataro and their husbands; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and her loyal “Mama Cat.”

Despite her numerous educational and entrepreneurial accomplishments in life, these never defined Jan. Her legacy resides in her acts of service, and all who crossed paths will miss her deeply. In her honor, we ask people to pay it forward with a random compliment or act of kindness, a quiet moment to honor this world’s natural beauty, a comforting pat to a furry friend, planting some seeds, or making your own ketchup and putting it in a Heinz bottle.

Private family services will be held.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to organizations that were meaningful to Jan and Al, including: Island Cat Allies, (Bogue Banks, NC), Covenant Lutheran Church, (Stoughton, WI), St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, (Raleigh, NC) and NC Baptist Children’s Homes.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Stoughton
Funeral & Cremation Care
1358 Hwy 51 N. at Jackston St.
(608) 873-4590

Janet Wiley

May 07, 1938 - July 19, 2026

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