Obituary of Janet L. Smyder

Janet L. Smyder of Vestal, NY Janet Lee (Berry) Smyder, age 85, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend, passed from this life into eternal life on February 25, 2024, after a brief illness. She was predeceased by her parents, William Sewart Berry and Agnes Gertrude Gould Berry, and one sister (Nancy Berry Teemley) and one brother-in-law (Jimmy Teemley). She is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Joseph F. Smyder, Sr., her son and daughter in law, Joseph F. Smyder, Jr. and Beth Smyder (Chesapeake, VA), daughters and son in law: Valerie A. Smyder (Vestal, NY) and Kathleen J. and Sean L. Powell (Fairfax Station, VA), five grandchildren: Rebecca M. and Rachel M. Smyder, and Summer N., Madeleine C. and Sophia G. Powell, two great grandchildren: Kathleen and Liam Powell, brothers and sisters in law: Eddie and Glenna Berry and George and Mary Berry and sister Thanna B. Landon. Jan was a long-time member of the Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, where she served our Lord through worship, bible studies and as a Eucharistic Minister. In addition to her roles as a wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, she also provided daily, loving safety for 30 years to thousands of Vestal students as their school bus driver. She was well known for her kind and gentle spirit, loyalty and always thinking of others. She heroically cared for her beloved husband as his health deteriorated, and felt it was her calling. She adored her children and was regarded by them as being incredibly loving, supportive and involved, a true angel on Earth. Her cookies and pies were famous, which she selflessly gifted to friends, family, and church. Her grandchildren have precious memories of learning to bake with her. She promised to give her recipes to them after her passing, ensuring her gift for baking with love was a legacy for generations. Growing up on a dairy farm in Burdett, NY, Jan found a love for all animals. She especially loved her rescue dogs and considered them her family. Most of all, she had an unwavering love for our Lord Jesus Christ and practiced her Catholic faith with devotion. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in her memory may be made to the Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Vestal, NY or Mercy House of the Southern Tier, 212 N. McKinley Ave, Endicott. Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 4th, 2024, at 10:00 am at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 801 Main St., Vestal, NY 13850. The family will receive family and friends at Coleman & Daniels Funeral Home, 765 Main St., Vestal, NY 13850 from 2-4 pm on Sunday, March 3rd.