Janet Gay Chopp

Janet Gay Chopp, 90, of Kalamazoo, MI, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 6, 2026, at White Oaks Assisted Living in Lawton, where she was reunited with the love of her life, her husband, Andrew Martin Chopp. Janet and Andrew shared 70 wonderful years of marriage, a testament to their enduring love and devotion.

She was born on March 10, 1936, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the daughter of the late Orlo Giddings and Helen Fisher Giddings. Janet graduated from Mattawan High School, was a longtime resident of Parchment, and attended St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Parchment and St. John Bosco Catholic Church in Mattawan. She married Andrew Martin Chopp on January 8, 1955.

Janet and Andy enjoyed traveling, watching sports, camping with family, and visited many major league baseball parks across the country for their 50th wedding anniversary. Janet was an avid Detroit Tigers fan who loved all sports, especially tennis. She was also artistic and creative, taking pride in crafting, crocheting, and making custom greeting cards. She enjoyed watching Bob Ross create his art paintings and found joy in life’s simple pleasures, including pizza, hot dogs, watching the clouds, and singing her favorite song, “You Are My Sunshine.” She cherished her ever-growing family and loved singing that song to them, bringing comfort and joy to those she loved most.

She is survived by her children, Ronald Diane Chopp of Paw Paw, Brenda Chopp Beck of Kalamazoo, Dan Karol Chopp of Mattawan, and daughter-in-law Becky Chopp of Galesburg; 16 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; her sister, Becky Hodapp; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Andrew Martin Chopp; her sons, Andrew Chopp Jr. and Gary Chopp; her daughter, Christina Marie Chopp; and her sisters, Alice Giddings Pfau and Barbara “Bobbi” Giddings Knarian.

There will be a Celebration of Life on Sunday, July 12, 2026, at the Antwerp Activity Center, 24821 Front Street, Mattawan, MI 49071, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the DetroitTigers Foundation https://www.mlb.com/tigers/community/foundation