Janine Harnish

Janine Kay Harnish

Janine K Harnish passed away on August 16, 2025, at home with her loving family members at her side. She had many different chapters in her life, be it her early childhood in the small, rural town of Sidney, Montana where she was born or later, moving to the “big city” of Billings. After watching the movie, The Parent Trap, Janine exercised her independence and chose to attend The Orme School, a prestigious boarding school in rural Arizona, ultimately convincing her younger brothers to follow along. What a bold choice! She returned to Billings, graduating from West High School before returning to Arizona and obtaining her degree from Arizona State University.

Returning to Billings after college, she accepted a position with the family business, Tractor and Equipment Company. Along the way, she met her lifelong significant partner of over 30 years, John Negu. But that was not the end of her wanderlust. Working with her older sister in the travel industry, Janine continued to travel the world with John, her family and friends. With John, she experienced many adventures including some of her favorite trips to Pebble Beach, Hawaii, sailing the ocean on Queen Elizabeth 2 and spending summers at his Flathead Lake property. Eventually, she relocated to the bright lights of Las Vegas, Nevada before ultimately settling down in Scottsdale, Arizona, along with her sisters.

However, Janine’s priority was always family. At times, she would put her personal life on hold to selflessly care for others. Whether it was her aging parents, sick brothers, or aging dog, Radar, she never hesitated to provide the love, care and support they needed, without expectations or the need for praise, but because of her true love of family and the satisfaction that she got from giving of herself.

Janine did not see life as a competition or feel the need to win. She was a researcher, a thinker and a planner. Thoughtful and careful in her decisions, always wanting to form her “own” opinions based upon her consideration of the necessary information. She stood firm in her opinions and made her choices based upon them, not easily moved by the opinions of others.

Janine was a kind and loving sister, a thoughtful and generous Aunt, and a loyal and faithful friend, always following and acknowledging the lives, events and activities of the special people in her life. And the feelings were mutual toward Janine as stated in a message from her niece a few years ago, “I love you. Just sitting here thinking about the amazing person you are. So kind, generous and thoughtful. You have taught me so much about family. The importance of loving with your whole heart. Knowing every single person is different and has as a different path. And may love and show love differently. You are the PERFECT example of loving people for who they are and where they are. Grateful for you and for how you have influenced my life!” She will be greatly missed by all those who were blessed to share their lives with her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Jerry Harnish, brothers Jeff and Jim Harnish and dog Radar, survived by her lifelong significant partner, John Negu; her sisters, Judi Hickey (Mike) and Joanne Blackford (Chad Maddock); brother John Harnish (Kathy) and many nieces and nephews.