A Neighbor, A Friend

Jan was a neighbor and friend to many of us on Anthony and Anthony Beach Roads. We will never forget all the fun times we had at the lake and at Donna's get-togethers. We enjoyed ourselves whether it was a great party or just visiting and having a cup of coffee.

My memories of Jan go back as far as 1978. She was still teaching and came to Seneca Lake on the weekends. I always thought that Jan was the smartest (book smart) person I had ever met. If I couldn't help Chad or Brett with their school work, we would go to Jan for help. She knew all the "teacher tricks" and was glad to help out. She was always pleasant with a smile on her face. She would have us laughing with her stories of her classroom and students.

I was one of the customers at the "Jan Store" that Evan spoke about. We would stock up when it was time for Chad and Brett to return to college.

Jan saw the good in everyone she met and accepted people for who they were. She could always find something positive to say.

I spent a little time with Jan a couple weeks ago when Donna had Jan, Marcy, John and Jackson down for dinner and also invited Alan and I. Jan was pretty weak and spent most of the afternoon on Donna's couch. Even though she was so sick, she still made conversation with me about my grandchildren, knowing they are near and dear to my heart. As we talked, her precious Jackson played nearby with a bunch of matchbox cars. She told me Jackson was in first grade. Her love for this little guy showed in her eyes. I'm sure Jackson will miss his grandmother a lot.

I will miss Jan and I know her other friends will too. It was an honor to call Jan my friend. Rest in peace, sweet Jan.

-- Joyce Del Rossa

With Donna and Joyce @ the Moose

As I sit here and reflect on my friendship with Jan, many words come to mind… friendly, understanding, funny, compassionate and intelligent.

When I first moved to Anthony Beach, she was there to welcome me into my new little community. She helped guide me to make important decisions in my life, one of which was to start teaching, by encouraging me to begin substitute teaching here in Penn Yan. The rest is history; I am still teaching full time after 18 years.

I do fondly remember shopping in her store. She even did home deliveries for me once my children were born.

Speaking of children, one of the special moments I had with Jan was the day I went into labor with my daughter Katy. It was a beautiful fall day in October and Donna and Jan spent time with me walking up and down Anthony Beach, trying to get things started for me. I will never forget that day! Jan was so excited to have a new baby in the neighborhood.

Since that day, I never saw Jan more excited than having Jackson come into her life. I didn’t see Jan much after Jackson was born, but I knew in my heart why. She beamed with happiness as she told stories of her grandson.

Glenn, Katy, Travis and I will hold Jan warmly in our hearts. The drive by her house will now and forever bring up fond memories of a very special and kind lady. She was always there for me when I needed to hear her words of wisdom. I know somehow her wisdom will always be here among us.

-- Karen Groet

The Jan Store

During the ’80s, it seemed like our cupboards, pantry and bathroom closet were mostly stocked with items that had been stripped of their UPC codes. Jan at work!

Jan was Rebate Queen (coupons too). She kept on top of the best rebates and dutifully collected UPC codes to mail in for the rewards. Plus she made the most of Wegmans back when they used to double coupons.

It was almost a community project, for the neighbors got involved too. She tended to buy more than she needed (e.g., buy 3, get 1/whatever quantity needed for the rebates) and ended up with the surplus she stowed in one of the bedrooms. So, if any of the neighbors were running out of shampoo or toiletries or whatever, it was off to the Jan Store to check stock and make purchases at her discount prices, snagging those packages that had been de-UPC-ed by Jan’s razor blade. Jan kept logs of her rebate activities, in notebook after carefully organized notebook, to keep track of ones she sent in and those for which she got the check.

Not only a hobby for her, I guess it was like a sport to score those deals and get the bonuses in the mail. Plus extra visits from the neighbors to shop her store!

I don’t think she quite made her fortune at it, but it was quite the enterprise in her rebating heyday.

-- Evan

Janno

JANNO....somewhere in my younger life with my mom I decided to be a smarty pants & call her Jan or Janet instead of MOM. Somehow the name Jan got turned into Janno & it stuck. and so the title....LIFE WITH JANNO

My mom was filled with life. She never let the little stuff get her down. She lived life just how she wanted to. She welcomed everyone into her home. She loved me, my husband & my son with all her heart. We were a great team! I hope she leaves that legacy to us as she moves on from this life.

My other wish is that everyone else leaves a little piece of her with us in the form of pictures, anecdotes, stories, lists (she LOVED lists!), etc. You can leave memories here as a blog, or send me an email , send written word via snail mail or bring some cookies (jackson will especially love that) & share some joyful times with us in person. All memories, no matter how big or small, will help her live on & heal our broken hearts.

She would not want us to be sad! She wants everyone to reflect on happy memories together as she passes on.

Janno....will be missed.