Janet M. Odell
WESTFIELD — Janet M. Odell, 71, of Bank Street, Westfield, died unexpectedly, Sunday, Feb. 19, 2017, at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center of Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Janet was born June 2, 1945. in Erie, Pa., the daughter of the late Ralph W. and Marie Arlouine (Burgess) McCutcheon.
She married Paul C. Odell on Aug.12, 1972, in Ripley, N.Y. Mr. Odell preceded her in death Oct. 15, 2016.
Raised in Ripley, N.Y., Janet was a 1963 graduate of Ripley Central School, where she was an International Fellowship Exchange student to Peru. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Rollins College in Winter Park, Fla., and her permanent teaching certificate from SUNY Fredonia. She also attuned Sumner University of Guadalajara, Mexico, studying Mexican Culture. She worked for a brief time in the Subscription Department of the National Geographic Magazine prior to enjoying a 29 year career as a kindergarten teacher at Westfield Academy and Central School and had been department chair for many years. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and Society of Westfield, the Alpha Phi Sorority, the YWCA of Westfield and the Chautauqua County Historical Society. She enjoyed reading, knitting and playing cards with friends, especially her Thursday Canasta club.
Janet is survived by her two daughters: Gena (Scott Peritore) Carey of Farmington, N.Y., and Melinda (Christopher) McManus of Rochester, N.Y.; as well as her grandchildren: Christopher, Tyler and Kaleb McManus of Rochester, Brianna Carey and Tessa Peritore, both of Farmington, N.Y. Janet is further survived by her two brothers: John (Marie) McCutcheon of Ripley, N.Y., and Walter (Jane) McCutcheon of Matthews, N.C.; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Also surviving are Janet’s very close friends, Brian and Maggie Paternosh and their children: Cameron and Griffin, whom she regarded as part of her family.
Friends may call at the MASON Funeral Home, 37 Clinton St., Westfield, N.Y., on Thursday, March 2, 2017, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., and are invited to attend a memorial service to be held on Friday morning, March 3, 2017, at 11 a.m., at the First Presbyterian Church and Society of Westfield, 49 South Portage St., Westfield, with the Rev. Katherine Rieley- Goddard officiating. Private burial will be in Westfield Cemetery.
Flowers are gratefully declined and memorial contributions are suggested to the Patterson Library, 40 South Portage St., or to the YWCA of Westfield, 58 South Portage St., both in Westfield, NY 14787.
Log on to www.mason funeral.com to send the Odell family a message of sympathy, to light a memorial candle or for further information.