SOUTH GLENS FALLS

Janice M. Smith, 68, of South Glens Falls, passed away on Wednesday, October 2, 2013 at Glens Falls Hospital with her family by her side.

Born June 7, 1945, in Glens Falls, NY, she was the daughter of the late Leo and Helen (Tracey) Abare.

Janice married Clarence “Bud” Smith on April 17, 1965 in Cambridge, NY. Clarence passed away on April 9, 1976.

Janice attended South Glens Falls Central School. She was employed at Oliver W. Winch Middle School for over 20 years, where she was affectionately referred to as “Mugsy” by most of the children. She was also employed by Fort Hudson Nursing Home and, most recently, the Landmark Motel.

Janice will always be remembered for her sunny disposition. She was always smiling and had an unfailingly positive outlook on life. Her strength and sense of humor was enviable. Janice could usually be found drinking coffee at Maude’s, playing scratch off tickets at Stewart’s (hoping for that big win) or enjoying rides through the country. She was an avid reader and Sudoku player. She enjoyed watching Lifetime movies and was a diehard Yankees fan. Janice would never turn down an invitation to Massie’s for her favorite meal, Veal Parmesan. Her visits will be missed by her “grand-doggies” Roxy, Kizarni, Shelby, Sammy and Madison who would greet her at the door, anxiously waiting for her to empty her pockets of biscuits.

Most of all, Janice cherished spending time with her family, especially her five grandchildren. Her proudest accomplishment was raising her three children on her own, and she was so happy to have them all back “home” again.

In addition to her parents and her husband, Janice was predeceased by a sister, Beverley Conine, and a brother-in-law, Rick Smith.

Survivors include Janice’s longtime companion Grant Smith, her daughter Lynn Lemery and her husband Michael, her son Jeffrey Smith and his wife Penny, her daughter Rebecca (Becky) Smith LaVallee and her husband Andre LaVallee, her grandchildren, who affectionately called her “Nina”. “The Big Kids”, Patrick Lemery and Ashley Smith, “The Little Kids”, Leanne Lemery and Tyler Smith, and the most recent joy of Janice’s life, “The Baby,” Luke LaVallee; her sister Andrea McDuff and her husband Francis, her brother Fred Abare and his wife Gail, her brother Richard Abare and his wife Joyce, and her sister-in-law Sharon Auman. Survivors also include Janice’s “Country Family”, Stephen Smith and his wife Cheryl, along with his children Evan and Ali, and Stephanie Smith and her children Corey and Anna, C.G. Smith and Susan Lehner and Sylvia and Michael. She will be missed by many nieces, nephews and cousins. Everyone loved their Aunt Jan. A widow for over 35 years, they all looked out for her.

Friends may call from 2-5pm on Sunday, October 6, 2013 at M.B. Kilmer Funeral Home, 136 Main Street, South Glens Falls, NY 12803. To leave online condolences or to view Janice’s Book of Memories, please visit www.kilmerfuneralhome.com.

A funeral service will be celebrated at 10am, Monday, October 7, 2013 at the funeral home, with Sister Donna M. Irvine, S.S.N.D, Chaplain of Glens Falls Hospital, officiating.

Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family.

Memorial donations in Janice’s name can be made to the South Glens Falls Marathon Dance, 6 Bluebird Road, South Glens Falls, NY 12803. Janice was so proud of her children and grandchildren’s participation in this event each year and the impact this cause had on the community where she lived her entire life.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Janice Marie Smith (Abare), please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.