Janette Skrasek

Our cherished Janette Lucyle Brice Skrasek has gone for her final audition, this time for St. Peter at his pearly gates, having passed from this stage on Thursday, September 12, 2024.

Born in Grand Prairie, Texas to Joe and Katy Brice, Janette never strayed far from her beloved hometown. “Netsy”, as her baby sister Janie christened her, made lifelong friends (including the “Jajas”) at Travis Elementary, Jefferson Junior High, and Grand Prairie High Schools. She caught the performing bug early and loved participating in Earl Tom Keel’s choir and Capers. Before she even graduated high school, Janette began her cosmetology career. A few weeks into her first semester at North Texas State University she met her first husband, left school to marry, and started her family with adored children Alicia and Jeff. She continued her passion for creating beauty by opening “Hairmasters” in 1971, enjoying decades of success as a small business owner in Grand Prairie. A few years after her divorce, she met and married Willie Skrasek, welcoming stepdaughters Ada Marie and Marilyn.

Janette pivoted to teaching in 1995 and returned to GPHS to head their cosmetology program. Always going above and beyond, she also served as a volunteer sponsor for the extracurricular program SkillsUSA. Fundraising and transporting her students to competitions in Texas and beyond became a second job. Her love and dedication to her students earned her Outstanding Educator awards from the GPHS Alumni Association in 2004, and Great Clips in 2002.

Mom’s volunteer efforts extended to several local nonprofit boards: the Grand Prairie Arts Council, the Soroptimists, the Woman’s Club of Grand Prairie and the Grand Prairie Historical Association. She also served as President of the Woman’s Club, the GPHA and the Cosmetology Instructors of Public Schools.

Janette knew the value of hard work but also the importance of play. Just ask her castmates from numerous GP Arts Council productions (including Oklahoma! and Steel Magnolias, twice each), or her Canasta buddies from the Woman’s Club. She passed along her love of theater to her granddaughter Alexa, who continues the family tradition of stagecraft.

Painfully aware of the history of Alzheimer’s dementia in her family tree, Janette prepared as best she could for the cognitive changes that eventually arrived in the form of vascular dementia. Friends, family, Valor Hospice, and team members at Brookdale and Morada senior living provided loving care and dignity as Janette sang her final songs.

Janette was preceded in death by her parents Joe and Katy Brice, and sister Glenda Kay Nelson. She is survived by her brother Leon (Gayle), sister Janie (Gary), children Alicia (Marvin) and Jeffrey, stepdaughters Ada Marie and Marilyn, granddaughter Alexa, and many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews, former students, coworkers and dear lifelong friends.

Mourners are invited to an open house-style Celebration of Life on Saturday, September 21st, 2024 from 2-4pm at the Woman’s Club of Grand Prairie. Please dress colorfully and bring a fun Janette memory to share.

Online obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/legacyremembers/janette-skrasek-obituary?id=56305607#obituary