Janice (Abbott) Bitz

Born in Syracuse, NY on July 19, 1930, Janice Abbott grew up on the Abbott farm, located on Cold Springs Road, that had been purchased by her great-grandfather in about 1860. Janice attended the one-room country school on Cold Springs Road for six years followed by seven years at Baldwinsville Academy and then graduated four years later from SUNY Oswego with a bachelor's degree in elementary education. At Oswego she was named a member of an honorary education fraternity.
Following college Janice accepted a position as a kindergarten teacher in Baldwinsville Central Schools. It was a period of rapid growth in the Baldwinsville area which required Janice to teach in the bus garage, the hamlet of Lysander, and the newly constructed Van Buren elementary school. She taught three years in Baldwinsville before resigning to raise her children with her husband Bob.
She did not completely abandon her teaching career, however, since she taught Sunday School at the Baldwinsville Presbyterian Church for over 20 years. Janice also put her education to good use raising her three children and helping to raise her four grandchildren, as well as giving memorable tours to thousands of school children who came to visit Plainville Turkey Farm.
Janice loved history, spent many hours with her mother and sister working on her family's genealogy, and served as the historian of the Female Charitable Association for many years. She was an active member in her church, Traveler's Club, and the Daughters of the American Revolution, serving as its Regent and traveling to annual meetings in both Albany and Washington.
Janice's productive life gradually diminished with the onset of Alzheimer's several years ago. Janice is survived by Robert Bitz her husband of 65 years, daughter Cynthia Bowen (Sean), sons Mark (Lou) and Bruce; granddaughters Rebecca Bowen and Elizabeth Bowen; grandsons Karl (Kristi) and Asher (Kalee); brother Windsor Abbott (Nancy); sister Luella Oakes; several nephews and nieces and two great granddaughters.
A private memorial service will be held by the family October 6, 2018. Donations in Janice's memory may be made to the Baldwinsville First Presbyterian Church or the Female Charitable Association

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