Janice D. Newby, 89

February 16, 2024

Janice D. Newby – A Force of Nature, was born in 1934 in North Dakota, a daughter of M. Donald & Florence Williams, and of The Great Depression.

On 2-16-24 she slipped gently and peacefully to her True Home while reading a book at the Mennonite Home in Lancaster PA.

A 1951 graduate of Canandaigua Academy, Janice was a long-time resident of Ontario County. After a brief stint as an Airforce military wife stationed in England, her journey landed her in her home of 56 years near Hall, NY where she and her husband Don raised their three daughters with unconditional love. That love later encompassed two grandchildren.

She worked for Sears in Geneva for 28 years. She was a member of the Memorial Presbyterian Church in Bellona, NY, serving as Elder, Clerk of Session, Treasurer, and Secretary, and was active in numerous church pursuits.

Janice was proud to belong to the Gu-Ya-No-Ga chapter of the DAR since 2006, having two pathways of lineal descent.  As a member, she served in the role of chaplain.  Civically minded, she voted in every possible local and national election with her intellect and reflection, and held interest in worldwide affairs. She was also a long-standing blood donor to the Red Cross.

Think hummingbird, as it was her nature to always be busy, to not “waste her time”. She was a skilled seamstress. She could stir a batch of cookie dough as well as a campfire, as she loved both baking and camping. You could find her on the porch ribboning hair garlands in the summer, and many will remember Jan for her delight in hosting get-togethers at her home. When she sat (rarely), she read…and maybe had a bowl of ice cream.

A life well lived, she remained socially active after retirement. She thrived on Silver Sneakers and making new friends, as well as lunching monthly with her old friends from her graduating high school class. She was always eager for organized day trips experiencing historical aspects of NY and beyond.

Janice met Life with humor and grace, aspired to be a friend to all, with a kind and tender heart, and was a willing volunteer in all aspects of family and relationships. If offense was ever given, she would have hoped humbly for forgiveness. She wished all well.

Recently, she paused to notice that “her hands looked old” and that “she should be doing something”. Soon after, she looked at a book…

 Janice is survived by daughters Linda New-Craig [Al Craig III] of MO and Sandra [Jeff] Weimer of PA; grandson James V. Higgins IV of CO; niece Carolyn [Don] Vack of PA; her “surrogate sisters”, double-cousin Patricia Wakefield of FL and sister-in-law Wilma Bishop of Waterloo NY;  stepsisters Phyllis [Robert] Johnson of Bellona NY and Linda Johnson of Penn Yan NY; stepbrothers Paul [Shirley] Roe of Bellona NY and Bruce [Lynn] Roe of FL. There is also a wealth of nieces, nephews, and cousins. Janice is predeceased by her husband of 50 years, Donald Newby; daughter Patricia Newby; granddaughter Miranda Craig; sister C. Joanne Buckley; stepsister Gayle Searles; and sisters-in-law Mildred Applebee, Frieda Cramer, Norma Snyder and Gladys Mickelsen.

No funeral is immediately planned.  The family will notify loved ones when plans for a celebratory service are determined. If inclined, donations to Jan’s memory can be made to the Bellona Cemetery Association, PO Box 84, Bellona, NY 14415.

You are missed Janice Newby, with anticipation to meet again once we are all Home.