Obituary of Janice F. Stahlsmith

Janice F. Stahlsmith, 76, of Ashville, went to be with the Lord on December 28, 2019, surrounded by her family, following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. She was born Dec. 10, 1943 in Meadville Pa., the daughter of Merle and G. Arlene Ridgeway Swogger of Carlton, Pa. Janice was a graduate of Cochranton High School, Cochranton, Pa., where she excelled in basketball, and played the clarinet in the marching band and concert band. She attended Mount Union University and Allegheny College, receiving a degree in medical technology from Mount Union in 1963. She received her Medical Technology Certification from Sharon Regional Hospital, in Sharon, Pa., in 1964. Throughout her career, she worked in hospitals in Meadville, Butler Pa. and Kittanning, Pa., and also for Dr. Robert Ney in Jamestown. A very devoted wife, mother and grandmother, Janice's greatest pride was supporting her grandchildren, watching them grow and guiding them all the way. Her motto to them was to always do their best and make me proud. She enjoyed attending all of her grandchildren's school activities and events, always cheering them on. She was such a caring person who always thought of others first. In retirement years, she enjoyed winters in The Villages, Fl., playing golf, swimming, sewing and playing cards. Other activities included gardening and canning, and she was an excellent pie maker. A member of Zion Covenant Church, Janice was a very thoughtful and caring person, served on many committees and always willing to lend a helping hand. She also delivered meals for Jamestown Meals on Wheels for more than 20 years, where she took the extra time to get to know her meal recipients and help them out in other ways, as well. She also volunteered for the Chautauqua Children's Safety Education Village in Ashville for nearly 10 years, helping with special events. Surviving are her husband, Richard, whom she married Sept, 21, 1963 at the Milledgeville Presbyterian Church, Carlton, Pa.; daughter Julie (Barrie) Yochim of Jamestown; daughter-in-law Mary Stahlsmith (Randy) Cook of Jamestown; four grandchildren: Zachary (Carson) Stahlsmith of Durham, N.C., and Adam Stahlsmith, Emilie Yochim and Madelyn Yochim, all of Jamestown; sister-in-law Dolores Swogger of Mercer, Pa.; and brother Bruce (Sandy) Swogger of Carlton, Pa. In addition to her parents, Janice was predeceased by her son, R. Scott Stahlsmith in 2003, and brother, Ronald K. Swogger in 2006. The family expresses its sincere gratitude to the entire staff of Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care for their exceptional care, and offer a special thanks to Amy, Laurie and Julie who helped in so many ways. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday January 3, 2020 in the Lind Funeral Home. The Rev. Steve Kilburn will officiate. The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday January 2 in the funeral home. Interment will be at the Cochranton Cemetery in Cochranton, Pa. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care, 20 W. Fairmount Ave., Lakewood, N.Y. 14750; Zion Covenant Church, 520 Fairmount Ave., Jamestown N.Y. 14701; or Ashville Fire Department, 5338 Stow Road, Ashville N.Y. 14710.