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Janet Sue Bittner, 79, of Atlanta, Georgia, passed away on October 30th, 2024. Her loss brings tremendous sadness to her many friends, her loving family, and the countless professional colleagues who held her in high esteem.
While growing up in Wisconsin, Janet attended Madison Public Schools and obtained her bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin.
Janet devoted her career to uplifting the well-being of communities, families, and individuals by improving state policy and practices—a calling that made important and far-reaching impacts. She was especially focused on improving the lives of under-served communities, children, and the elderly. Notably, she served as the Director of the Office of Aging Services and Deputy Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR) from 1984 to 1995. During her tenure at DHR, Janet was instrumental in establishing two major Governors’ Initiatives—The Family Connection and The Georgia Policy Council for Children and Families. She went on to work with the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia and spent many happy, fruitful years there until her retirement in 2016.
In 2014, Janet was honored with the Walter B. Hill Award for Distinguished Achievement in University Public Service and Outreach. Other honors include the Ten Outstanding Young People of Atlanta Award, Who’s Who of American Women, and an Outstanding Service Award from the Georgia Planning Association. She was also selected for several competitive, full-year leadership development programs: Leadership America, Leadership Georgia, Atlanta Regional Leadership Institute, & Leadership Atlanta.
While Janet enjoyed gardening and traveling, her greatest passion was helping people. She did this throughout a career in which her colleagues knew her to be a creative, “can-do” problem solver who approached every decision wanting, first and foremost, to do the right thing. Those who knew her personally know that she carried these values into every aspect of life.
Janet was born to parents Austin and Alice Osterhaus on October 8th, 1945, in Madison, Wisconsin. She was married to Robert Bittner, and they joyfully shared a son, Matthew Bittner. Matthew and his wife, Michelle, survive Janet, along with two beloved grandsons, Xavier and Stellan, and her brother, Tom Osterhaus (Nancy), and a host of relatives.
A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, December 15, 2024, at 1:00 pm at the Mershon Hall in the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. Alok Agrawal will officiate the ceremony.
Janet’s passion for helping children meant she was an enthusiastic supporter of GEEARS: Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students. Therefore, the family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to GEEARS below.