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Janet L. Smith
“ LONGTIME LITTLE GENESEE RESIDENT”
Horseheads, NY----Janet Lynn Cowell Smith, 51, of Horseheads, died Monday, October 24, 2011 in her home, after a long battle with stomach cancer.
Born March 7, 1960 in Cuba, New York, she was a daughter of Ernest “Butch” and Margaret “Peggy” Stone Cowell. On June 8, 1985 at the Seventh Day Baptist Church in Little Genesee, NY, she married Ralph William Smith, who survives. They lived in Little Genesee for most of their married lives, moving to Florida in 2004 and then to Horseheads in 2007.
Janet was a graduate of Bolivar Central High School class of 1978. She attended Jamestown Community College, Olean, NY and the Olean Business Institute, Olean, NY
She was Town Clerk and Tax Collector for the Town of Genesee. Most recently Janet was employed as a bookkeeper by McWane International in Elmira.
Janet enjoyed riding the motorcycle with her husband, boating, fishing, traveling, playing cards, and crocheting. She especially loved spending time with her family, having raised three wonderful children whom she and husband were very proud of. She was involved in many activities and clubs. She was a Girl Scout leader, Boy Scout Leader, summer soccer coach, summer softball coach, member and President of the Bolivar Lioness Club, G.A.T.E. coach, PTO member, assistant high school cheerleading coach, member of B.R.A.G., had served as treasurer for the Little Genesee Library Board and was instrumental in starting the Pioneer Oil Days celebration.
She was a member of the Wellsville Grand Squares and the Elmira Relaxed Squares. She did volunteer work for Meals on Wheels and Hospice in Horseheads. Janet dabbled in graphic art and designing. She wrote and designed the newsletters for B.R.A.G. (Bolivar Richburg Allentown Genesee Historical Society); Lioness booklets; wedding, baby shower, and birthday invitations; several professional business cards; and most of the Pioneer Oil Days and B.R.A.G. documents.
Janet appreciated everything everyone did for her during her cancer journey.
Surviving besides her husband and her parents of Little Genesee, NY are three children: Brian (Nicole) Smith of West Seneca, Kimberly (Eric) O’Dell of Elmira Heights, and Ray (Jessica) Smith of Alliance, NE; her three precious grandchildren, Jadelynn Smith, Kallen Lewis and Trayven Smith; three brothers, Ernie (Ruth) Cowell of Little Genesee, NY, Daniel Cowell of Bolivar, NY, and Alfred Cowell of Friendship, NY ; two sisters, Penny (Ken) Marriott of Williamson, NY and Patricia (Simpson) Barber of Horseheads, NY; and several nieces and nephews.
Janet was predeceased by her good friend, Shelly Davison.
Friends may call on Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, 118 South Union Street, Shinglehouse, PA. A celebration of Janet’s life will be held at the Faith Bible Church, Little Genesee, on Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 12:30 p.m. Pastor David Herne, of Heritage AFlame Ministries, will officiate. Burial will follow in Maple Lawn Cemetery, Bolivar.
In lieu flowers, memorials may be made to B.R.A.G., c/o Bolivar Library, Main Street, Bolivar, NY 14715.
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