Janet was born to John and Brenda Van Deusen on April 20, 1966, the youngest of four children, all of whom graduated from Hudson Falls Central School. Her siblings are Greg Van Deusen, Jill Stimpson, and Sheila Van Deusen.
In 1984 Janet graduated 11th in her class with a 91 average. She was a member of the National Honor Society, French Honor Society, and Junior Senate. During her high school years, Hudson Falls had four sports seasons for girls – field hockey, volleyball, basketball, and softball. Janet received 14 varsity letters over the four years.
Janet continued her education at Ithaca College, graduating Cum Laude in 1988. At graduation she received the President’s Award for excellence. She had a dual major in Physical Education and Athletic Training. She played four years of basketball at Ithaca.
In 1989 she got her Master’s degree in Athletic Training from the University of Virginia.
From 1989-2001 Janet was employed as Head Athletic Director at Northern High in Durham, NC. There she met and married Gary Merrill in 1992.
From 2001-2002 she was Athletic Director at Triangle Orthopedics and from 2003-2004, Athletics Director at Duke University Sports Medicine.
Janet and her dog Divot were killed in an automobile accident on March 27, 2004 en route to go jogging.