ROCHESTER -- Janet M. Campbell, 67, died at home on Oct. 27, 2009, in Palm Springs, Calif., after a nine-month struggle with brain cancer.

She was born May 11, 1942, in Bemidji, Minn., to John and Lorraine McCarter; the family moved to Rochester in 1946. She graduated from Lourdes High School and attended Clark College in Dubuque, Iowa, transferring to the University of Minnesota, where she graduated with a degree in Education and French. Jan did graduate work in French at Purdue University and studied in France.

She began her teaching career at Marshall High School in Minneapolis and taught for many years at St. Louis Park High School. She was an extraordinary teacher and spoke French so fluently that frequently when in France she would be mistaken for a native. In 1968 she married Donald Campbell of Rochester.

She pursued teaching French privately to students ages 8 to 80 years. The couple vacationed in Palm Springs for 30 years, and in 2006 they moved there permanently. Jan became active in civic affairs, especially supporting programs for the homeless. Jan was active as a volunteer teacher at Cielo Vista Elementary School, which she found to be enormously rewarding.

Jan will be remembered for her directness and her concern for others. She would often stop to talk to homeless people, and would give them food and water, and even sleeping bags. She was a friend of the environment and when walking the neighborhood she always carried a bag for picking up trash. She gave her friends reusable bags for shopping and encouraged use of compact fluorescent bulbs.

She was famous for her great sense of humor and practical jokes. She was a creative person with a love of colorful and unique artworks. She had a passionate interest in gemstones; her knowledge of gemology often surprised expert jewelers. Her rock garden is unique and extensive. She loved to travel with her husband, especially to France, and they visited many countries together.

A good friend of hers said early on in her illness, "Jan is a warrior!" and she truly was.

Jan is survived by her husband, her son Eric and daughter Kelly, her mother Lorraine, sister Diana, and brothers Mark, Jerome, and David. She was preceded in death by her father John, and her brothers John Michael and Kevin.

No service is planned, however, a celebration of her life will be held for family and friends at a later date.

Memorials are suggested to Mayo Foundation, Rochester, MN 55905; or to Well in the Desert, P.O. Box 5312, Palm Springs, CA 92263.

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